Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

>> Chair: MEMBERS THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> Senator Brodeur: HERE. >> Senator Berman: HERE. >> Senator Arrington: HERE. >> Senator DiCeglie: HERE. >> Senator Grall: HERE. >> Senator Massullo: HERE. >> Senator McClain: HERE. >> SENATOR PIZZO. >> Senator Rodriguez: HERE. SENATOR SHARIEF. >> Senator Truenow: HERE. >> Chair: A QUORUM IS PRESENT. SENATOR SHARIEF AND SENATOR PIZZO ARE EXCUSED. SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES. IF ANYONE WANTS TO TESTIFY HAND IN AN APPEARANCE FORM TO THE SERGEANTS OFFICE. IF YOU WISH TO WAIVE YOUR TIME IT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMITTEE RECORDS UNLESS A SENATE REQUEST A VOTE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS WE WILL TAKE ONE AS THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS TODAY. APPOINTEES IN THE AUDIENCE IF YOU ARE HERE AND WANT TO COME FORWARD YOU ARE WELCOME TO. WE DO NOT REQUIRE THAT AT THIS MEETING. WE HAVE JAMES PATRICK GRAMBLING AND BRYANT JAY ANGST. PERFECT. ANY APPEARANCE FORMS? SEEING NONE. MOTION TO RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION? LEADER BERMAN MOVES TO RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION. ARE ALL APPOINTEES ON? JULIE PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON APPOINTEES. >> SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> Chair: THE CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTEES ON TAB ONE AND TWO IS RECOMMENDED FAVORABLY. WHILE WE DO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL WE CAN GO TO BILLS BY MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE. PLEASE GO TO TAB FIVE. SENATOR DICEGLIE CS FOR 1109, BUILDING CODE INSPECTIONS. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE BILL. >> Senator DiCeglie: THANK YOU. >> Chair: I'M SORRY CS FOR BILL 1260. I WAS READING THE HOUSE BILL. THERE WE GO. >> Senator DiCeglie: BEAR WITH ME PLEASE MR. CHAIRMAN. SENATE BILL 1260 REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO ENTER INTO AND MAINTAIN ONE OR MORE CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE PROVIDERS ARE BUILDING CODE INSPECTION SERVICES RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE REVIEW AND INSPECTION AND I WANT TO LAY OUT THIS IS KIND OF A RESPONSE TO WHAT WE EXPERIENCED IN DALLAS COUNTY WHEN IT CAME TO HURRICANE RESPONSE. WE HAD A LOT OF MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING OFFICIALS TO PROCESS PERMITS AND ALL THE THINGS SO THIS GIVES US OPPORTUNITIES TO GET FOLKS FROM OUT OF STATE. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WOULD BE REQUIRED TRAINING FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AND ULTIMATELY IT TRANSLATES INTO PARTICULARLY THE SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING FOLKS BACK INTO THEIR HOMES THEY WOULD HAVE THE RESOURCES AT THEIR FINGERTIPS TO MAKE SURE THE BACKLOG IS NOT AS SEVERE AS WE EXPERIENCED A PINELLAS COUNTY. THAT IS THE BILL. >> Chair: AMENDMENT FILED ON THE BILL AND SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO THE SUBSTITUTE. SO WHAT WE WILL DO SENATOR DICEGLIE WITH YOUR INDULGENCE WE WILL GO RIGHT TO THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 508894 AND SEE HOW IT GOES. IF IT GOES WELL WE WILL NOT NEED THE REGULAR AMENDMENT. PLEASE EXPLAIN AMENDMENT BAR CODE 508894. >> Senator DiCeglie: DELETE LINE 11 THROUGH 21 WHICH MENTIONS STORM DEBRIS AND REALLY IT MOVE THE STORM DEBRIS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT. WE WANTED TO CLEAR IT UP AND FOCUS ON BUILDING OFFICIALS AND PRIVATE PROVIDERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. >> Chair: AMENDMENT TO THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED ON AMENDMENT 508894. >> Senator DiCeglie: THERE IT IS. THIS AMENDMENT CLARIFIES THAT STATE TERM CONTRACT CAN BE USED FOR OUR PLANNED EXAMINATION BUILDING CODE EXPECTION THAT INSPECTIONS AND DEBRIS REMOVAL WHICH OF THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT WILL REMOVE AND THE VENDOR SERVICES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOVERY FOLLOWING MAN MADE OR TECHNOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES. THE LANGUAGE IS THAT CONTRACTS SHALL BE DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE VISION OF A MANAGEMENT AND MUST BE ALIGNED WITH FEDERAL AND STATE REIMBURSEMENT GUIDELINES AND ADDS THAT PROVISION THE STATE TO ALLOW INTO MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER STATES WITH RECOVERY SERVICE FOR PLANS EXAMINERS BUSINESS CODE AND INSPECTORS TO WORK IMPACTED AREAS AND THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF SENATE BILL 1260. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: FANTASTIC. NOW THERE IS AN AMENDMENT FILED WITHOUT OBJECTION TO THE LATE FILED AMENDMENT TO THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT INTRODUCED. PLEASE EXPLAIN ONE MORE TIME AMENDMENT BARCODE 857850. >> Senator DiCeglie: DELETE LINE 11 THROUGH 21 DEALING WITH STORM DEBRIS COLLECTION. >> Chair: QUESTIONS? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? OBJECTION? AMENDMENT TO SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT ADOPTED. WE’RE BACK ON THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT. OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT AS AMENDED? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? OBJECTIONS? SHOW THE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT ADOPTED AS AMENDED. WERE BACK ON THE BILL. OTHER QUESTIONS? LEADER BERMAN IN QUESTIONS YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I HAVE QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS CAN WE GO BACK AND FORTH QUESTION MUCH. >> Chair: SURE. JUST DON'T GET TOO ROWDY. OKAY. SENATOR DICEGLIE WHICH CITIES AND COUNTIES DO NOT PUBLISH THE BUDGET ONLINE RIGHT NOW? >> Senator DiCeglie: I APPRECIATE THAT YOU LOVE ALL OF MY BILLS. I THINK YOU'RE REFERRING TO SENATE BILL 556. >> Senator Berman: YOU'RE RIGHT I'M ON THE WRONG ONE. WRONG BILL. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. SEEING NONE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON 1260. SEEING NONE DEBATE? CLOSE. WAIVES. JULIE CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 1260. SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. >> Chair: SHOW CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 1260 REPORTS FAVORABLY. WE HAVE A GUEST SO WE WILL GO TO TAB 11. SENATE BILL 1668 BY SENATOR BURTON YOU HAVE A STRIKE ALL. DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN IT? OKAY LET'S TAKE UP AMENDMENT BARCODE 15 I'LL START OVER. 149182 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE. >> Senator Burton: THANK YOU. THIS AMENDMENT WHICH IS NOW THE BILL. I WILL READ THE BILL LANGUAGE AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL ADOPT THIS AMENDMENT. IT SERVES THE PURPOSE OF THE UNDERLYING BILL AND THAT IS TO PROVIDE SOME GREATER OVERSIGHT OF THE PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN IN THE STATE FOR MANY MANY YEARS. NIKON. IT IS INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE INJURED AT BIRTH HAVE A LIFETIME OF AID THAT THEY NEED AND THE HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEED AND ANYTHING THE FAMILY MIGHT MEAN THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME. THEY ARE LIVING LONGER THAN ORIGINALLY PROJECTED WHEN THIS WAS ESTABLISHED IN FLORIDA AND THE BOARD HAS CONCERNS RELATED TO THEIR ABILITY TO REMAIN SOLVENT. WE LOOKED AT WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY AND CODIFIED THEM. WE CODIFIED BOARD APPROVED BENEFITS FOR EXAMPLE ONE WOULD BE THE DENTAL SERVICE BENEFIT THAT THEY HAVE. THIS AMENDMENT CLARIFIES EXISTING TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS THROUGH VANS AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH FAMILY AS WELL AS EXISTING HOUSING BENEFITS FOR DOWN PAYMENT AND HOME AND MOVING EXPENSES AND PROVIDES PAYMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND OUT OF COST FOR THAT OUT OF POCKET COST FOR BUT IS PARTICIPANTS AND MEDICAID ACT BUT OPERABLE AND CODIFIES A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN NIKON AND THE INDUSTRY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION WHICH PROVIDES THAT NIKON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSING MEDICAID FEE FOR SERVICE CLAIMS BECAUSE MEDICAID IS A REPAIRER OF LAST RESULT AND TOWARD THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY GOAL THIS AMENDMENT CLARIFIES THAT THEY MUST SUBMIT TO THE OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS AND ANY AMENDMENTS FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL AND PROHIBITS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM NEW BENEFITS OR EXPANDING EXISTING BENEFITS IF THEY ARE INCURRING CASH FLOW DEFICITS AS DOCUMENTED IN THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIALS AND PROHIBITS PAYMENT TO FAMILY MEMBERS FOR CARE OF THE PARTICIPANT IF ANOTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IS PROVIDING CARE AT THAT TIME. FAMILY MEMBERS MAY FILE A PETITION WITH THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS TO RESOLVE ANY ALLEGED OVERPAYMENT DISPUTES. IT REVISES ANNUAL COMPENSATION REPORTS AND THEY MUST SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO CLARIFY THE REPORT AND INCLUDE COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND REQUIRES THEM TO REVERSE PARTICIPANTS FOR REASONABLE AND MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE THAT WAS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30th, 2026, WHICH WAS REDUCED ARE NOT PAID BY THE PLAN BECAUSE SUCH PARTICIPANTS DID NOT HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE. ADDITIONALLY WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE FUNDING THIS AMENDMENT PROVIDES TECHNICAL CHANGES TO CLARIFY EXISTING ASSESSMENT PROVISIONS ALTHOUGH NO CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE ASSESSMENT AMOUNTS FOR FUNDING. AS WELL AS A CURRENT AMOUNT OF INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSFER IN THE EVENT ASSESSMENT REVENUE FROM THE PROVIDERS AND HOSPITALS IS INSUFFICIENT TO AUTHORIZE 20 MILLION INSTEAD OF 50 MILLION WHICH AS WE SAID IS A REVERSION AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY. THE STATUTE SPECIFIES THEY MUST SUBMIT REVISED QUARTERLY CLAIMS OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION WITHIN 15 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE END OF EACH QUARTER WHICH ASSESSING AND MONITORING THEIR FINANCIAL CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY AUTHORIZING THEM TO ASSESS ANY CLAIMS DURING FISCAL YEAR 26 27 IF THE TOTAL OF ALL CURRENT ESTIMATES AND CLAIMS EQUAL OR EXCEEDS 100 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS ON HAND IN THE FUNDS THAT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. SIMILAR PROVISIONS THAT WE HAVE ENACTED BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE. IT REVERTS OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO OIR AND NIKON DUTIES INTO ASSESSMENTS FOR CURRENT LAW EXCEPT FOR A FINDING PROVISIONS. ADDITIONALLY IT CLARIFIES THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE OF THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS HAS EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE THE BEST ABILITY AND NOTICE EVEN IF THE CLAIMANT DOES NOT SEEK COMPENSATION AND THIS BILL WITHIN THE AMENDMENT PROVIDES THE TEST TAKES EFFECT JULY 1st, 2026. THAT IS THE STRIKE ALL. >> Chair: QUESTIONS ON THE STRIKE ALL? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? CLOSE? >> Senator Burton: WAIVE. >> Chair: OBJECTION? SHOW THIS AMENDMENT ADOPTED. WE ARE BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. MEMBERS ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? LEADER BERMAN? >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU. SO, LINE 132 OF THE STRIKE ALL TAKES OUT THE WORD DIRECT. AND I WAS WONDERING WHY YOU REMOVED THAT AS YOU EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE IMMUNITY. >> Chair: SENATOR BURTON. >> Senator Burton: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. THE STRIKE ALL WAS IN THE ORIGINALLY FILED BILL AS WELL SO WE HAVE LEFT IT THAT WAY AND WHEN THIS WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IT WAS ESTABLISHED AND IS ESTABLISHED FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES THAT WILL DECIDE NOT TO FILE A LAWSUIT. AND THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN TODAY IT SAYS DIRECTLY WHICH ONE WOULD ASSUME MEANS THE POSITION THE HOSPITAL BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS LAWSUITS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE SUING OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT CLAIM TO BE ANCILLARY ASSOCIATED WITH THE INJURY. SO WE HAD EXPANDING OF THE SCOPE AND IT IS EXPANDING AND THIS PROTECTS EVERYONE WHO MAY BE ALLEGEDLY ASSUMED TO BE ENGAGED IN ANY FORM OR FASHION WITH INJURY WHEN THE FAMILY IS GOING TO PARTICIPATE. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> Senator Berman: ARE YOU CONCERNED WE’RE GIVING IMMUNITY TO SOME PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT DESERVE IT? BY SAYING PRIVILEGE TO. >> Senator Burton: I AM NOT. THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO GIVE IMMUNITY. AND IT SPEAKS TO THE ORIGINS OF THE PROGRAM AND UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME IT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF THE GOOD WORK THEY DO AND THE PROVISIONS AND THE CARE THEY OFFERED TO FAMILIES BECAUSE OF THE IMMUNITY THAT IT ASSUMES. SO IT IS JUST CONTINUING THE ORIGINAL COST BECAUSE OF THE WORLD WE ARE IN TODAY IT DELETES THAT WORD. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE WE ARE IN PUBLIC TESTIMONY. MELISSA JACKSON NIKON WAIVING IN SUPPORT. TROY WEAVER. WAIVING IN SUPPORT. LAURIE EUMANNS WANTS TO SPEAK AGAINST. FLORIDA JUSTICE ASSOCIATION. COME ON UP. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU CHAIR AND MEMBERS. THANK YOU SENATOR BURTON FOR HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH US AND FOR BEING WILLING TO ENGAGE ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. OUR CONCERN IS NARROW AND IT IS WITH THE DELETION OF THE WORD DIRECTLY IN LINE 132. WE LEAVE THIS IS PROCEEDINGS FROM YEARS OF CASELAW THAT HAS NARROWLY STRICT IMMUNITY THERE IS A CASE PENDING IN THE THIRD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS RIGHT NOW WHERE THE TRIAL COURT FOUND THAT HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS WERE NOT SUBJECT TO THE IMMUNITY. THERE IS A SERIES OF OTHER CASES THAT HAVE NARROWLY CONSTRICTED IMMUNITY INCLUDING AND PRECLUDING IMMUNITY FOR NONPARTICIPATING PHYSICIANS, PEDIATRICIANS THAT HAVE THE INFANT AFTER DELIVERY, HOSPITALS WITH VICARIOUS LIABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL WITH ONLY POLICY LEVEL ROLLS. OUR CONCERN IS THAT BY STRIKING THE WORD DIRECTLY IT WILL OPEN UP THE FLOODGATES TO ANY ENTITY OR INDIVIDUAL THAT IS TANGENTIALLY RELATED TO THE BIRTH AND THINKING ABOUT RISK MANAGERS, ADMINISTRATORS, CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AND EVEN OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS THAT WOULD NOW BE CAN GUESS THAT WOULD NOW BE SUBJECT TO THIS IMMUNITY. THERE IS A FISCAL CONCERN WITH THAT BECAUSE THE MORE EXPANSIVE THE IMMUNITY IS THE MORE CLAIMANTS WILL BE BROUGHT IN TO NIKON AND TAKEN OUT OF THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTING FOR THE INCREASE IN COST FOR POTENTIAL CLAIMANTS. THERE IS NO REALLOCATION OF ASSESSMENTS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION POTENTIALLY ADDITIONAL CLAIMANTS BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL IMMUNE ENTITY WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LOOK AT THAT SECTION AND CONSIDER LEAVING IN THE WORD DIRECTLY. >> Chair: TROY WEAVER IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AND SPEAK YOU CAN. IT'S MARKED WAIVE BUT IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK YOU ARE WELCOME. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> UNFORTUNATELY ON MAY 8th, 2024, WE WERE FORCED TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROGRAM. OUR GRANDSON SUFFERED A BRAIN INJURY DURING LABOR AND DELIVERY DUE TO THE GROSS IN APTNESS OF A MIDWIFE. HE SUFFERED SEVERAL HEART ACCELERATIONS DURING A PROLONGED PERIOD OF BIRTH AND NOW IN THE BIRTH CANAL FOR MORE THAN FOUR HOURS THE ATTENDING MIDWIFE GAVE UP AND CALL THE DOCTOR IN THE HOSPITAL FOR AN EMERGENCY C SECTION WHILE AWAITING THE DOCTORS ARRIVAL SHE MADE THE POOR DECISION TO GET ONE MORE SHOT. THIS WAS MORE THAN THE BODY COULD TAKE AND HIS HEART STOPPED. THE DOCTOR ARRIVED AND TOOK OUR DAUGHTER IN DIRECTLY FOR SURGERY UPON DELIVERY IT TOOK TEN SOLID MINUTES OF CPR TO BRING HIM BACK. AS THE MIDWIFE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS NEGLECT LEFT THE HOSPITAL SHE STORMED TO THE WAITING ROOM IN FRONT OF MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS AND LOUDLY EXCLAIMED TO SECURITY GUARD AT THE DESK WHAT DO I KNOW I'M JUST A MIDWIFE. AND SO STARTED OUR JOURNEY WITH NIKON. WE WERE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THERE WERE NO LEGAL RECOURSE FOR SUCH NEGLIGENCE. AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR NEGLECT, FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE WE REPORTED OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR BABIES WHO ARE YET TO BE BORN AND NO WAY FOR EXPECTANT FAMILIES TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THE PROVIDER HAS CAUSED OTHER FAMILIES TO ENTER THIS PROGRAM. OUR SON AND HIS WIFE AND THEIR FIRSTBORN SON AND MANY OTHER FAMILIES WERE MANDATED INTO A PROGRAM THAT WAS NOT CREATED TO PROTECT CHILDREN BUT CREATED TO PROTECT PROVIDERS. WITH THIS SAID THE STATE OF FLORIDA OWES IT TO THESE FAMILIES TO SOLIDIFY FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM. I WANT TO COMMEND SENATOR BURTON FOR MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN ALTHOUGH I FEEL THE BILL HAS TREMENDOUS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. LET'S LOOK AT THIS FUNDING LIKE IT'S ALL OF OUR STATE SENATORS RETIREMENT FUND AND THEY'RE ALREADY IN RETIREMENT. COST OF LIVING IS MORE THAN YOUR FUND GROWS ANNUALLY AND YOU ARE AWARE OF IT NOW YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO AFFECT POSITIVE CHANGES TODAY BUT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THEY WANT YOU TO CONTINUE SPENDING MORE THAN YOU BRING IN UNTIL YOU ARE WITHIN 10 PERCENT OF BECOMING INSOLVENT. WE KNOW THAT WAITING UNTIL THIS THRESHOLD WOULD BE A VISION ON OUR PART ESPECIALLY IF WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW. NIKON SHOULD BE TREATED NO DIFFERENTLY. PRIOR TO DRAWING FROM THE INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $50 MILLION IMPOSING UP TO A QUARTER PERCENT PENALTY ON STATE CASUALTY INSURERS, THERE OUGHT TO BE A MINIMUM CONCERN OF INCREASE TO 5,000 DOLLAR ANNUAL DOCTORS PREMIUM NURSE MIDWIVES $2,500 PREMIUM AND $50 PER CHILD HOSPITAL PREMIUM. THE STATE SHOULD ALSO STOP EXEMPTING ALL THE TEACHING HOSPITALS. THEY ARE AFFORDED THIS PROTECTION AS WELL. FIFTY DOLLAR PER MINIMAL DISH PER DELIVERY IS MINIMAL WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HOSPITAL RATES CHARGING THESE DAYS NURSES MIDWIVES AND HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN AFFORDED UNHEARD OF NO FAULT COVERAGE FOR THEMSELVES SINCE INCEPTION IN THE LATE 80S WITH NOT ONE SINGLE PREMIUM INCREASE. SHOW ME AN INSURANCE COMPANY THAT WROTE A POLICY IN 1989 THAT WOULD HAVE ZERO INCREASES AND 37 YEARS. IT IS NOT REALITY. WHAT KIND OF LOBBYING MUST THE PERSON DO TO GET SUCH A GOOD DEAL. IT'S TIME FOR PROTECTED PROVIDERS TO GET MORE SKIN IN THE GAME. AT MINIMUM IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING ELSE THE THRESHOLD FOR ACTION SHOULD BE PROVISIONS TO AT LEAST 80 PERCENT INSTEAD OF THE PROPOSED 90 PERCENT LASTLY I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE NEW MANDATE THIS BILL HAS EMBEDDED IN IT TO FORCE PARTICIPANTS TO PURCHASE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE OR GOING TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM. THEY HAD TO SUE THEM IN THE PAST FOR PUSHING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS INTO MEDICAID WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING THE BILLS. THEY SETTLED FOR $51 MILLION AND NOW HAVE AN AGREEMENT URGES OF PINS IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM WITH NIKON REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS. THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE NEGOTIATED RATES. MEDICAID HAS AS LONG AS MEDICAID GETS REIMBURSED I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAIR DEAL THE REQUIREMENT HOWEVER TO OBTAIN PRIVATE INSURANCE IF YOU DON'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND NIKON REIMBURSEMENT THEN OF THE FAMILY PREMIUM OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES CO PAYS ET CETERA THEN IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A LIABILITY TO THE PROGRAM. MY QUESTION IS TO THIS COMMITTEE HOW DO YOU THINK THE PRIVATE INSURERS WILL REACT WHEN THEY FIND OUT THEY ARE PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN WITH BRAIN INJURIES THAT COULD BE COVERED AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM. WOULD THEY REACT SIMILAR TO MEDICAID? I SEE NO PROVISION WHERE THE PRIVATE INSURERS ARE BEING REIMBURSED AS MEDICAID WOULD BE. I'M ALL FOR REDUCING COSTS AND HELPING SOLIDIFY THE PROGRAM AND I AM ALL FOR STAYING OUT OF POTENTIAL FUTURE LITIGATION THAT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE FINANCING. LASTLY THERE IS A PROPOSAL FOR PAYING FAMILY FOR CHILDCARE THAT COULD SWING THIS AS WELL AS MEETING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THEIR JOB AT THE SAME TIME AS THEY WORK FROM HOME THE BOTTOM LINE IS NIKON WILL HAVE TO PAY THIS EXPENDITURE WHETHER THEY PAY THE OR PAY A PRIVATE PARTY. THERE IS NO REASON THE BENEFIT SHOULDN'T GO TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS. EXCEPT FOR TRYING TO PUNISH THEM. MOST OF THE PARENTS WILL BE RAISING THE KIDS FOR LIFE. THERE IS NO GOOD REASON NOT TO ALLOW IT. THIS IS A NET BENEFIT FOR THE FAMILY. I AM CLOSING AND I LIKE TO ANY SENATOR WHO WANTS TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THIS IN THE FUTURE I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANOTHER DAY OFF OF WORK AND TRAVEL TO ANYWHERE IN FLORIDA FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVOCATE FOR THESE NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME AND CONSIDERATION. >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE? SEEING NONE MEMBERS WE'RE IN DEBATE. SENATOR GRALL. >> Senator Grall: THANK YOU SENATOR BURTON FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TO AND THE WAY THEY ARE PAID TO THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH TRAGEDY. UNFORTUNATELY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS BILL TODAY BECAUSE OF THE WORD DIRECTLY BEING STRICKEN AND I WAITED UNTIL WE GOT ON THE BILL AS OPPOSED TO THE AMENDMENT BUT I DO UNDERSTAND IT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL BILL. BY DOING THAT IT THEN CHANGES THE LANGUAGE AGAINST ANY PERSON OR ENTITY INVOLVED WITH THE LABOR DELIVERY OR IMMEDIATELY POST DELIVERY RESUSCITATION. I THINK NIKON WAS CREATED FOR A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND IT WAS ABOUT THE DIRECT PROVIDERS. AND COMMUNITY OR THE ABILITY TO FORCE PARENTS TO GO INTO THIS EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROGRAM FOR PARENTS AND THE PATIENCE AND BY TAKING OUT THE WORD DIRECTLY THE EXPANSION REALLY COULD BE VERY GREAT FOR MEDICAL DEVICES AND MEDICAL DEVICES AND COMPANIES NOT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS AND THE LIABILITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT CAUSED HARM DURING LABOR AND DELIVERY OR IMMEDIATE POST DELIVERY RESUSCITATION. I THINK THAT IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT WE ARE HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT EXPANDING IMMUNITY TO OTHER PARTIES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BENEFITS TO THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE APPRECIATE THAT THERE IS EXISTING PRECEDENT ABOUT THE WORD DIRECTLY AND I HAVE REVIEWED ONE OF THE CASES THAT IS PART OF THE LITIGATION GOING ON ABOUT THIS AND THERE ARE IN FACT OTHER POINTS THAT CAN ARISE OUT OF BEHAVIOR OF HOSPITAL AND DOCTOR AND ANY NUMBER OF THINGS THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE PURSUED AND SOMEBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO PURSUE A REMEDY FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN DOWN THAT IS WRONG UNDER THE LAW AND IN HER CIVIL COURTS AND NOT BE LIMITED TO THIS ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY THAT WAS CREATED FOR A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE. FOR THAT REASON I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE UP TODAY AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN REINSTATE THE WORD DIRECTLY AS THIS MOVES FORWARD BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING TO BRING SOME RELIEF TO THESE FAMILIES. >> Chair: LEADER BERMAN IN DEBATE. YOU ARE GOOD? ALL RIGHT. >> Senator Berman: SENATOR BURTON WE DID NOT HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING THIS MOVING ABOUT THE ISSUE BROUGHT UP I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IF THERE'S CONVERSATIONS ARE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE WORD DIRECTLY GETTING PUT BACK IN HER FOR THE NEXT STOP OR THE NEXT TIME I SEE I WANT TO KEEP IT MOVING AND I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING ON THIS. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL DEBATE? SENATOR BURTON TO CLOSE. >> Senator Burton: I WILL ADDRESS THE WORD DIRECTLY. I WILL DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE WORD DIRECTLY BY SAYING I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MY PARTNER IN THE HOUSE AND I APPRECIATE THE MEETINGS I HAVE HAD IN MY OFFICE WITH THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WORD DIRECTLY AS WELL. WHILE I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT REINSTATING THE WORD DIRECTLY IS THE CORRECT REMEDY HERE AS OPPOSED TO STRIKING IT I AM CERTAINLY INTERESTED IN OTHER CONVERSATIONS OR CHANGES TO LANGUAGE TO HELP US CAPTURE -- I HEAR WHAT SENATOR GRALL IS SAYING. I HEAR WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING. BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE HAVE TO PRESERVE THE PROGRAM SO WHEN THE GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE EARLIER SPOKE TO US ABOUT FUNDING AND YOU DON'T SEE EXPANDED MECHANISMS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TODAY THIS AGAIN IS ANOTHER TOPIC THAT I AM CURRENTLY PURSUING WITH MY HOUSE SPONSOR ON THIS ISSUE AND WITH NIKON AS WELL. HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME TO, YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE MORE TIME THEN WE WOULD HAVE SO WE NEED TO WORK MORE QUICKLY ON THIS WHICH IS FABULOUS BECAUSE WE CAN GET IT DONE AND WERE HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD AS WELL ON THIS CONVERSATION SO I HOPE TO HAVE SOME MORE ANSWERS FOR THAT AS WELL BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW I WANT TO PREFACE FURTHER CONVERSATIONS ON THIS BY SAYING THERE HAVE BEEN A CHANGES TO THE THAT IS THE INSTITUTION OF THE PROGRAM AS WAS SAID EARLIER. THAT IS CORRECT. TO SENATOR GRALL'S POINT FAMILIES WANT TO KEEP THIS SOLVENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYONE ENGAGING WITH THIS COMMITTEE AND ON THE FLOOR SO WE CAN GET AS CLOSE TO REALLY GOOD IF NOT PERFECT AS WE CAN GET. WITH THIS I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY. >> Chair: CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SENATE BILL 1668. >> SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> Senator Brodeur: SHOW THIS REPORTS FAVORABLY. WE HAVE ANOTHER GUEST. SENATOR CALATAYUD SHE HAS SENATE BILL 1300. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THIS BILL. >> Sen Calatayud: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. THIS BILL WORKS IN CONCERT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY TO EXTEND THEIR CURRENT CONSTRUCTION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPING PROGRAM FOCUSING ON IDENTIFYING AND SELECTING CDL TRAINING WHILE AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE THESE INMATES ARE EXPLICITLY NONVIOLENT INMATES AND PROVIDES AVENUE FOR POTENTIAL INSURANCE AND WORKER'S COMPENSATION, PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT TO EMPLOYERS, THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS THEM TO DRIVE STATE OWNED VEHICLES WILL GO WITH HER ON ROAD TESTING AND REQUIRES AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT IS THE BILL MR. CHAIR. >> Chair: THANK YOU. ARE THERE QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? SEEING NONE IS THERE CLOSE? SEEING NONE, JULIE PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON SENATE BILL 1300. SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENT RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> Chair: SHOW THIS REPORTS FAVORABLY. WE NOW HAVE OUR OWN MEMBERS OF OUR COMMITTEE. WHOLE WE ARE WAITING FOR SENATOR MARTIN WE WILL GO THROUGH OUR TABS. LET'S GO TO TAB THREE SENATOR TRUENOW YOU HAVE CS FOR SENATE BILL 598 ON FUNERAL CEMETERY AND CONSUMER SERVICES. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED SIR. >> Senator Truenow: MEMBERS SENATE BILL 598 MAKES A FEW UPDATES TO THE FLORIDA LAW GOVERNING LICENSED FUNERAL AND CEMETERY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ANY PROVISIONS IN THIS BILL INCLUDE LIMITING EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS BETWEEN FUNERAL OR CEMETERY LICENSEES AND A CERTAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE BILL REVISES LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR FUNERAL DIRECTORS, AND BOMBERS, DISPOSERS, AND CEMETERY ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING UPDATES TO THE ENDORSEMENT AND RENEWAL CRITERIA. THEY ARE TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE THE PIPELINE FOR FUTURE PROFESSIONALS IN THIS INDUSTRY. SENATE BILL 598 ALSO OF UNCLAIMED REMAINS. THIS ALLOWS LICENSE PROVIDERS TO DISPOSE OF HER AFTER A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME IF NO LEGAL AUTHORIZED PERSON PROVIDES DIRECTION. OVERALL SENATE BILL 598 AIMS TO STREAMLINE REGULATION AND MODERNIZE CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AND IMPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCIES WITHIN THE FLORIDA FUNERAL AND CEMETERY SERVICES FRAMEWORK. THAT IS THE BILL. >> Chair: THERE IS SUCH A SMALL NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS. BARCODE 55730 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >> >> BARCODE 557304 THIS AMENDMENT IS TECHNICAL DRAFTING. >> Chair: QUESTIONS? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION SHOW THIS AMENDMENT ADOPTED. THERE ARE NO MORE. MEMBERS ARE THERE QUESTIONS AS AMENDED? OKAY FUNERAL DIRECTORS OF FLORIDA WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IS ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS BILL? SEEING NONE WE ARE IN DEBATE. SENATOR TRUENOW TO CLOSE. >> Chair: JULIE CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 590. SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. >> Senator Brodeur: SHOW CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 598 REPORTS FAVORABLY. UP NEXT HAVE SENATOR MARTIN CS FOR SENATE BILL 1580 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Martin: THIS BILL DEALS WITH A GROWING PREDATORY PROBLEM TARGETING VULNERABLE FLORIDIANS AND CURRENT PENALTIES FRANKLY ARE TOO WEAK TO DETER OPERATORS FROM THIS CONDUCT. THE GAMING COMMISSION HAS RECEIVED OVER 9300 COMPLAINTS AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS LAST YEAR SEIZED THOUSANDS OF LEGAL MACHINES AND MILLIONS AN UNLAWFUL PROCEEDS. THE BILL RESTORES REAL DETERRENCE BY MAKING OPERATION OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING HOUSES AND LEASING SPACE FOR THEM A THIRD DEGREE FELONY WHILE INCREASING PENALTIES FOR RELATED ILLEGAL GAMING ACTIVITIES. VIOLATORS ALSO LUCERNE CERTAIN BUSINESS IS GRADING STRONGER CONSEQUENCES FOR CONTINUING LEGAL OPERATIONS AND THE BILL AUTHORIZES PROPER DESTRUCTION OF SEIZED ILLEGAL MACHINES AND STRENGTHENS ENFORCEMENT TOOLS FOR THE COMMISSION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. PROVIDES REGULATORY CLARITY AND ALLOWS VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS TO SEEK LEGAL DETERMINATIONS ON WHETHER THEIR MACHINES ARE LEGAL OR ILLEGAL AND PREEMPTS GAMING REGULATIONS IN THE STATE AND CREATES A VOLUNTARY SURRENDER PROGRAM FOR ILLEGAL DEVICES WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T DO AND ANY OTHER AREA OF CRIMINAL LAW. THE TARGETED ADMINISTRATIVE FIX IMPROVES STAFFING FLEXIBILITY FOR THE GAMING COMMISSION AND THE GOALS TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND UPHOLD LEGAL GAMBLING AND HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE WHO PROFIT FROM THIS. >> Chair: QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? HERE YOU GO JONATHAN AMOA PATH WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST. COME ON UP, SIR. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I DID NOT TELL YOU HOW TO PRONOUNCE THIS NAME. >> YOU DID IT PHONETICALLY LAST TIME AND THAT'S MY FAULT. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE COMMISSIONER AND MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JOHN ZACKHAM. I REPRESENT THE AMUSEMENT MACHINE ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA. UNFORTUNATELY WE RISE AGAINST THE BILL IN IT'S CURRENT ITERATION. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TRYING TO BE DONE HERE BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL SECTIONS OF IT I THINK HAVE SOME FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES AND TENTACLES THAT END UP GETTING INTO AREAS THAT ARE DEFINITELY UNINTENDED. WE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH THE SPONSOR OF BILL AND WE DO APPRECIATE HIS HARD WORK ON AND RELATED AREAS ARE A HARD PART UNDERSTAND. THEY JUST ARE. I SERVED AS A FORMER REGULATOR FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE PRIVATE SECTOR SO I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TRYING TO HAPPEN BUT EVEN WITH AN ARREST IN MANY OF THESE SITUATIONS IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS AN INNOCENT DEVICE WHERE THERE IS NO ILLEGAL GAMING HAPPENING AND YOU GET ARRESTED IT HAS A CONSEQUENCE ON YOU FOR THE FUTURE. DOCUMENTS THAT YOU HAVE NOW IN YOUR REGULAR LIVES YOU HAVE TO REPORT IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN ARRESTED FOR SOMETHING SO EVEN IF YOU PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE IN COURT AFTERWARDS IT WILL AFFECT YOU IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE IN MANY CASES WHICH CAUSE DENIALS OF THE LICENSURE AND CAN AFFECT MORTGAGE DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS AND CAN EVEN AFFECT THINGS THAT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BEING ABLE TO GO ON FIELD TRIP WITH YOUR KIDS. THESE ARE SOME AREAS THAT ARE SIMPLE AND WILL AFFECT YOU IF IT A FELONY OFFENSE. WE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY WHEN WE BUMP UP FROM A MISDEMEANOR TO A FELONY AND I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE MANY BAD ACTORS OUT THERE AND PEOPLE DOING THINGS AND I'M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM AND DOING THINGS NEGATIVELY BUT I WILL GIVE YOU EXAMPLE OF THOSE WHO WERE ARRESTED WHO HAD CHARGES DROPPED WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. DONALD WOLF WAS CHARGED WITH KEEPING A GAMBLING HOUSE. NOEL PROST. APRIL DUNBAR NO INFORMATION FOR KEEPING A GAMBLING HOUSE POSSESSION OF A SLOT MACHINE. MAURICE O'BRIEN GAMBLING HOUSE POSSESSION OF A SLOT MACHINE. NO INFORMATION. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT IF THIS IS A FELONY WENT TO A STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEY REVIEWED WHAT GAMES THEY HAD AND THEY WERE FOUND TO NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW BUT THE ARREST ALONE WOULD AFFECT THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES IT. THAT IS WHAT THIS WOULD DO. WE ASK YOU AND CAUTION YOU TO LOOK AT WHAT SOME OF THE TENTACLES ARE. BRIEFLY I WILL GO OVER A COUPLE OF THE PARTS THAT ARE CONCERNING FOR ALL THESE CASES THE MACHINES HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED TO THE OWNERS THEY ARE STORED BY THE STATE IS A CONTROLLED LOCATION AS WELL ESKAMANI. IT HAS NOT BEEN SOON THE TAXPAYERS HOPEFULLY WILL NOT BE PAYING FOR THIS AND WE WILL GET THE MACHINES BACK TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. SOME BAD PARTS THAT EXIST UNFORTUNATELY WE SEE WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO WITH INTERNET GAMING AND GAMBLING AND LINES 802 THROUGH 808 WITH INTERNET GAMBLING THEY INCLUDE ACCESSIBLE MOBILE DEVICES COMPUTER TERMINALS OR OTHER SIMILAR ACCESS DEVICES. THAT IS FINE BUT LATER ON WE END UP STAYING IN THE MANUFACTURING SELF POSSESSION SLOT MACHINES FOR DEVICES WE SAY POSSESSION IS A THIRD DEGREE FELONY. SAY THAT AGAIN IF YOU HAVE A MOBILE DEVICE A COMPUTER TERMINAL OR OTHER SEMINOLE THE SIMILAR ACCESS DEVICE IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS A THIRD DEGREE FELONY. THERE NEEDS TO BE CLARIFICATION. CERTAINLY, THERE IS NOT TRYING TO MAKE CELL PHONES INTO FELONIES BUT IT MUST BE CLARIFIED. WE HAVE THE PARTS THAT I TALKED ABOUT FOR THREE STRAIGHT SESSIONS. WE APPRECIATE DEFINITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED AND TRYING TO CLARIFICATIONS BUT I THINK IT DOES EXTEND OUT FURTHER AND IT'S FRIGHTENING IN THOSE AREAS BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE THINGS THAT ARE NOT EVEN CONNECTED TO THE MACHINE COULD BE YOUR ROUTER, MODEM, ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT SOMEONE ENDS UP USING I GUESS IF YOU HAVE A RESTAURANT OR SOMEPLACE LIKE THAT AND THE PERSON ACCESSES THEIR CELL PHONE IF YOU END UP HAVING YOUR ROUTER OR INTERNET THAT WAS PART OF THE GAMBLING DEVICE YOU MIGHT BE FOUND LIABLE FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS. WE MUST BE CLARIFYING THIS WE MUST CLARIFY WITH A CUT OFFLINE IS. AND WE WANT TO THANK THE SENATOR FOR PART OF THIS AS WELL. HE TOOK OUT A SECTION LINE 635 UNDER GAMBLING HOUSES STATING SOMETHING PROHIBITED OR NOT PROHIBITED. CLEARLY WE DON'T WANT TO PUT SOMEONE IN JAIL OR PRISON FOR HAVING SOMETHING NOT PROHIBITED. AND SO WE APPRECIATE THE IDEA THEY'RE TRYING TO PUT FORWARD SOME KIND OF OVERVIEW FOR THESE MACHINES AND GAMES IN 434 IN THE AMUSEMENT MACHINE SECTION. IT MUST BE FLUSHED OUT. SENATOR PIZZO SPOKE ON THAT IN THE LAST COMMITTEE STOP AND HOW WE NEED TO BOLSTER THAT A BIT BECAUSE YOU GET INTO WITH THE ISSUES FROM IT AND RIGHT NOW THE WITH THE OPERATIONS WORK IS IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING CLOSE TO A VIOLATION OF A MACHINE WE BEEN TOLD BY LAW ENFORCEMENT IF IT TAKES MONEY IN AND PUTS MONEY OUT THEY WILL ARREST YOU AND YOU CAN PROVE IT IN FRONT OF A JUDGE THAT IT'S NOT A GAMBLING DEVICE. GAMBLING NEEDS MORE THAN THAT. IT'S A CLEAR STATUTE THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED IT TAKES MORE THAN THAT. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE IN A COURT OF LAW AFTER BEING ARRESTED. WE HAVE HAD 11 ACTIONS AGAINST MEMBERS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS FOR AREAS WHERE WE HAVE CERTIFICATION REPORTS THAT PROVE THEIR LEGAL MACHINES OUT THERE. WE OFFER THEM UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THEY TOLD US YOU CAN TAKE IT TO A JUDGE. JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE 11 LOCATIONS THAT ARE NOT BLACKED OUT WINDOWS, THEY ARE NOT AN ILLEGAL ARCADE IT'S TWO MACHINES IN A SPORTS BAR FOR THREE MACHINES IN A RESTAURANT THAT HAVE A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION FROM AN ACCREDITED TESTING LAB SING THE MACHINES ARE LEGAL AND WITHIN THE LAST 48 HOURS THERE HAVE BEEN 11 SEIZURES OF THOSE MACHINES THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE INNOCENT ARE NOW HAVING TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. I GET IT. AGAIN I LOOK FORWARD TO WORK WITH THE SPONSOR ON IT BUT THERE ARE MANY PARTS OF THIS WE NEED TO CLARIFY. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. GETTING ONE OR TWO BAD ACTORS AND HAVING HUNDREDS HAVING TO BEAR THIS BURDEN IS IN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. SEAN GOLDEN. VFW. STEWART SCOTT ON DECK. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I'M SEAN GOLDEN VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA. I'M TRYING TO BE BRIEF AS MANY OF YOU HEARD HER TESTIMONY ON THIS AND ASSOCIATED BILLS. FORTUNATELY, WE STAND IN OPPOSITION OF THIS BILL SIMPLY ON THE FORM OF WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING OFF OF A CASE LAW THAT WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN DISPENSING MACHINES THAT ARE BOTH LEGAL AND ABLE TO BE OPERATED. YET NEW INTRODUCTION OF LANGUAGE POSES MANY THREATS TO OUR POST AND OUR MEMBERS. WE CONTINUE TO ASK FOR THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WHICH IS CLARITY. LET US KNOW WHAT THE LETTER OF THE LAW IS THAT WE CAN OPERATE. WERE HAPPY TO DO IT. WE TOTALLY STAND BEHIND THE INTENT OF THE BILL TO TAKE OUT BAD ACTORS BUT WE ARE NOT THE BAD ACTORS I PROMISE YOU THAT. THE VETERANS ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHIN THE LAW. WE APPRECIATE THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME LANGUAGE BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT LANGUAGE PUTS US BACK TO OPERATING AS A MISDEMEANOR. WE DON'T WANT ANY CONFUSION THERE. WE DON'T WANT TO OPERATE AGAINST THE LAW WE JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE DO YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR HELP IN THAT MATTER. >> Chair: STEWART SCOTT AMERICAN LEGION. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED, SIR. >> MY NAME IS STEWART SCOTT WITH THE AMERICAN LEGION AND WE JUST HAD A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT HERE RECENTLY. UNITED STATES HOCKEY TEAM. IMAGINE COMING BACK WITH A GOLD MEDAL AND HERE'S THE FUN THING. THEY PLAYED OTHER COUNTRIES, YES. BUT THEY PLAYED UNDERNEATH THE RULES BUT ALL THESE OTHER COUNTRIES UNDERSTOOD TO PLAY THIS GREAT GAME OF WAS THE CHAMPION. WE WANT THAT SAME TYPE OF CLARITY. THAT IS WHAT WERE ASKING FOR. GREAT NEWS IS THE BILL SPONSOR ACTUALLY HAD ANOTHER BILL. UNFORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT GET TO SEE DAYLIGHT. THE BILL HE HAD CODIFIED EXACTLY WHAT THE LEE COUNTY CASE SAID AND MY PARTNER FROM THE VFW JUST MENTIONED. A PARALLEL THAT LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWED THE MACHINE TO BE PLAYED. THESE OLD ARCHAIC PULLTABS THEY ARE FUN. THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN A MACHINE AND YOU PLAY THEM. ALL WE ARE ASKING IS SIMPLY HAVE THAT WITH MORE PIZZAZZ. SOMETHING THAT IS NOW NO LONGER IN THE 1960s. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN 2026. THE U.S. HOCKEY TEAM WON THE GOLD MEDAL. WITH THAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO IT AS IT STANDS NOW. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE BILL SPONSOR TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THE CLARITY EDGED IN THERE. THANK YOU. >> Chair: ALANA ZIMMER FLORIDA GAMING COMMISSION. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ABOUT THIS BILL. THE BILL IS NOT ABOUT INCREASING ENFORCEMENT ON ITS OWN. IT IS ABOUT WERE TOURING JUST RESTORING CRITICAL CONSUMER AND THESE PROTECTIONS WERE WEAKENED IN 2191 FLORIDA DOWNGRADED THE PENALTY FOR OPERATING AN ILLEGAL GAMBLING HOUSE FROM A FELONY TO A MISDEMEANOR. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED WE HAD A REDUCTION OF POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES FROM UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON TO SIX MONTHS AND FROM A 15,000 DOLLAR FINE TO 500. SINCE THEN WE HAVE SEEN A CRIPPLING EXPANSION OF THE LEGAL AND REGULATED GAMBLING ACTIVITY ACROSS OUR STATE. IT REALLY IS HARMING NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES AND THE ASSOCIATED CRIME IS REALLY DETRIMENTAL. THESE OPERATIONS FUNCTION ENTIRELY OUTSIDE OF THE ESTABLISHED SAFEGUARDS. FLORIDIANS WHO ENTER THIS HAVE NO DUSTY THE SETTLEMENTS HAVE NO PROTECTION AGAINST FRAUD, FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION, OR THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT FREQUENTLY ACCOMPANIES UNDERGROUND GAMBLING. WHEN YOU SEE ONE TYPE OF CRIME GOING ON YOU OFTEN SEE MANY MORE AND WE ARE SEEING IT MORE AND MORE AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING BOLDER AND BOLDER ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING. AS PENALTIES ARE DIMINISHED THESE ILLEGAL OPERATORS HAVE FACED LESS RISK AND THE CONSUMERS AGAIN AND THE COMMUNITIES ARE THE ONES THAT ARE SUFFERING. THESE ARE PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICTS CALLING US AND GIVING US COMPLAINTS ASKING FOR US TO STEP IN AND HELP. THE FLORIDA GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION WAS CREATED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND ENFORCEMENT. OUR AGENT REGULARLY ENCOUNTER ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS SEIZING THOUSANDS OF UNRELATED MACHINES, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF UNTAXED PROCEEDS AND WE INVESTIGATE CASES WITH ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THIS BILL TAKES A MEASURED AND RESPONSIBLE APPROACH BY ELEVATING CERTAIN OFFENSES WITHIN CHAPTER 849 WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TOLD OUR STATUTES ARE SOME OF THE CLEAREST IN THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE BEEN APPLAUDED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR HOW CLEAR AND WELL RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE. BY ELEVATING THESE OFFENSES IT RESTORES APPROPRIATE DETERRENCE AND PROVIDES MORE CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC AND IT STRENGTHENS PROTECTIONS FOR FLORIDIANS. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION OF SB 1580 AS AN IMPORTANT AND TIMELY STEP TOWARD REINFORCING CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AND PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY OF FLORIDA'S GAMING LAWS. THANK YOU. >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? DEBATE? LEADER BERMAN IN DEBATE. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I DO APPLAUD THE WOMEN'S AND MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM. I AM HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT. BUT I WANTED TO KNOW IF WE HEARD SOME PEOPLE TESTIFIED TODAY SAYING THEY ARE CONCERNED FROM THE VFW AND THE AMERICAN LEGION AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY ROOM FOR COMPROMISE IN YOUR BILL OR IF YOU'VE ALREADY EXPLORED THOSE OPTIONS AND THIS IS WHERE THE BILL HAS LANDED. AS WE MOVE FORWARD. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL DEBATE? SENATOR MARTIN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS WHENEVER YOU WOULD LIKE. >> Senator Martin: I WOULD LOVE TO WAIVE. THERE'S A COUPLE QUESTIONS. I'M SORRY CHAIR. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SPOKE. THIS IS A PROCESS. IT'S MY SECOND YEAR RUNNING A BILL. BUT TWO YEARS AGO WAS MY FIRST TIME RUNNING THE GAMING BILL AND ULTIMATELY IT DIED BECAUSE ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE WE ADDED THE LANGUAGE THAT IS REFERENCED IN LINE FOR 34 WHICH GIVES THE ONLY TIME IT HAS EVER BEEN MENTIONED WOULD BE THE FLORIDA STATUTE THE ABILITY FOR SOMEONE WHO'S ENGAGED POTENTIALLY IN A CRIME TO WALK DOWN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GAMING COMMISSION AND SAY TELL ME IF I'M COMMITTING A CRIME THEN IF YOU BELIEVE I AM I WILL NOT BE IN TROUBLE AS LONG AS I GET RID OF THIS ILLEGAL DEVICE OR IMAGINE A DRUG DEALER WALKING DOWN TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SAYING HEY, IS THIS COCAINE I PLAN ON SELLING AND IF IT IS DON'T ARREST ME IT'S YOURS. FRANKLY, IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYWHERE ELSE IN LAW BUT WE PUT THE COMPROMISE IN THERE BECAUSE WE AS A BODY DID NOT WANT TO GO AFTER VETERANS. THAT IS NOT THE GOAL OF THIS IT IS TO GO AFTER THE BAD STRIP STRIPMALL CASINOS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT DON'T COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND WILL COMPLY WITH WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY ARE GETTING WHEN THEY PUT A COIN AND A SLOT MACHINE THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE ODDS THAT THEY WOULD GET ANYWHERE ELSE. THEY ARE NOT REGULATED. OFTEN TIMES THEY ARE FLY BY NIGHT AND HARD TO TRACK DOWN. IT'S A LARGE CASH BUSINESS AND IT'S USED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING FOR THE ACTUAL CRIMINALS THAT DO THE DRUGS AND SELL THE DRUGS AND COMMIT OTHER TYPES TIMES. THAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS BILL AND WE WANT TO GET RID OF ANY THINGS THAT MAY HURT OUR FRIENDS THAT ARE VETERANS. SO WE CREATED SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF ANYTHING ELSE IN CRIMINAL LAW WHICH IS GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO CALL SOMEONE AND SAY HEY IS THIS MACHINE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE? OR IS IT PERMISSIBLE? THEN WE CAN PUT A TIMEFRAME ON THE GAMING COMMISSION. THEY HAVE TO RESPOND WITHIN 60 DAYS NO LONGER THAN 90 DAYS ON WHETHER OR NOT THAT MACHINE IS LEGAL OR ILLEGAL. THAT IS WHAT KILLED THE BILL TWO YEARS AGO BUT THAT'S BECAUSE THE SENATE BELIEVES AND I BELIEVES AND MANY OF YOU STILL BELIEVE WE DON'T WANT TO GO AFTER VFW'S. THAT IS NOT THE INTENT OF THIS BILL. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN THE GAMBLING HOUSES ARE DOING EVERYTHING LEGALLY AND BY THE BOOK AND THERE IS NO ILLEGAL GAMBLING HOUSES. THAT WILL REMAIN IN THIS BILL HOPEFULLY THE HOUSE WILL HAVE IT THIS YEAR IF THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO WORK WITH VETERANS OF COURSE THERE IS THE BINGO MINOR ISSUE WHICH IS SEPARATE AND I DID RUN A BILL DEALING WITH THAT AS WELL. BUT THE GOAL OF THIS BILL IS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO EXTERNAL NOW NO ONE'S GOING TO JAIL AND LESS THEIR NATURAL CRIMINAL AND A VFW. SO IF THERE'S OTHER SUGGESTIONS OR QUESTIONS I WILL KEEP WORKING WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS ON THIS BILL TO MAKE A THE SECOND OR THIRD STOP AND THEN OF COURSE IF WE GET TO THE FLOOR WE CAN GET THE HOUSE TO MATCH UP TO OUR GREAT IDEAS. >> Chair: CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SENATE BILL 1580. >> SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> Senator Brodeur: SHOW CS FOR SENATE BILL 1580 REPORTS FAVORABLY. MEMBERS WE ARE NOW BACK ON BILLS FROM OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS LET'S GO TO TAB NUMBER FOUR AND CS FOR SENATE BILL 934 THAT IS SENATOR RODRIGUEZ AND SHE HAS AREAS OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Rodriguez: SENATE BILL 934 AUTHORIZES BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS TO PROVIDE AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS TO PROPERTY OWNERS WHO VOLUNTARILY RENT ENCOURAGING FOR DISSIPATION IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS. >> Chair: NO AMENDMENTS. QUESTIONS? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? WE HAVE ROBERT MONROE COUNTY WAIVING IN SUPPORT. ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE IS THERE DEBATE? SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. >> Senator Rodriguez: I ASK FOR EVERYONE'S FAVORABLE SUPPORT. >> JULIE, CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SENATE BILL 934. >> SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> Chair: SHOW CS FOR SENATE BILL 934 REPORTED FAVORABLY. TAB SEVEN SENATOR TRUENOW CS FOR SENATE BILL 1452 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Truenow: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATES THE ADMINISTRATION OF MY SAFE FLORIDA HOMES PROGRAM BY CLARIFYING ELIGIBLE HOMES ALLOWING A NEW INSPECTION IF THE INITIAL INSPECTION IS OVER 24 MONTHS OLD THE EXTENDING DEADLINES FOR PROJECT COMPLETION AND FINAL INSPECTION ALSO UPDATES THE DEPARTMENT PROCESS FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION DISPUTES AND THE THREE MEMBER PANEL REPORTING. ALSO THIS CLARIFIES THE INTENT OF THE FLORIDA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM COORDINATING COUNCIL AND UPDATES PARTICIPATING MEMBERS AND CREATES GUIDELINES FOR FUNERAL LICENSURE BASED ON CRIMINAL HISTORY. ALSO IMPROVES THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING A RESIDENT INSURANCE LICENSE FROM ANOTHER STATE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA RESIDENT LICENSE AND REMOVES THE FILING APPLICATION FEE FOR ALL VETERANS AND STRENGTHENS THE DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY TO REQUIRE RE EXAMINATION FOR INSURANCE AGENTS EXPECTED OF CHEATING ON THE LICENSING EXAM. IT REQUIRES PUBLIC ADJUSTERS TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO CUSTOMER INQUIRIES WITHIN 14 DAYS AND STREAMLINES REQUIREMENTS FOR TITLE INSURERS AND AGENTS. THE BILL STREAMLINES THE BAIL BOND APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS BY ELIMINATING REDUNDANT REQUIREMENTS AND ALSO UPDATES CERTAIN UNCLAIMED PROPERTY DEFINITIONS INCLUDING A REFERENCE CHANGE TO ABANDON PROPERTY. IT CLARIFIES THE DORMANCY TIME FOR ALL TYPES OF ABANDONED PROPERTIES INCLUDING SECURITIES BEFORE HAVING TO BE SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT. IT BOLSTERS CONSUMER PROTECTIONS BY STREAMLINING THE HOLDERS IN THE DEPARTMENT DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE IDENTIFYING THE PROPERTY. IT ALSO LIMITS WHO HAS ACCESS TO DATA BY REQUIRING CLAIMANTS AND REPRESENTATIVES TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST TEN ACTIVE CLAIMS PER YEAR TO MAINTAIN REGISTRATION. THAT IS THE BILL. >> Chair: I DO BELIEVE YOU WERE EXPLAINING THE STRIKE ALL, IS THAT CORRECT? LET'S INTRODUCE THE AMENDMENT BAR CODE 427888 AMENDMENT BY SENATOR TRUENOW YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE STRIKE ALL. BARCODE 427888 PROVIDES CLARIFYING LANGUAGE FOR THE FLORIDA HOME PROJECT. IT KEEPS PERMANENT PARTICIPANTS IN MY FLORIDA SAFE PROGRAM MUST HAVE LOW OR MODERATE LEVEL INCOME AND HOMES HAVE AN INSURED VALUE OF LESS THAN 700,000 OR LESS AND REMOVES THE PROVISIONS PROVIDING THE AUTHORITY TO PREPAY FOR MULTIYEAR SOFTWARE LICENSES AND MAINTAINS THE STATUS QUO FOR DIVISION OF RISK MANAGEMENT TO GO THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MARKET THE STATE'S INSURANCE AND IT KEEPS THE 15 MILLION DOLLAR CAP ON THE STATES UNCLAIMED PROPERTY TRUST FUND. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: QUESTIONED OF THE SPONSOR? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? DEBATE? OBJECTION? SHOW THIS AMENDMENT ADOPTED. WE ARE BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. MEMBERS ARE THERE QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? PUBLIC TESTIMONY, WE HAVE CHRISTIAN WITH CFO BLAISE INGOGLIA'S OFFICE DFS WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NONE WE ARE IN DEBATE. OKAY SENATOR TRUENOW WILL CLOSE. >> Senator Truenow: MEMBERS, THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH SOME DEFINITIONS AND SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE GONE OVER AND MORE UPDATES TO COME, AND, SO, I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT THUS FAR ON THIS BILL. >> Chair: CALL THE ROLL ON THE BILL ON CS FOR CS 1452. >> SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> Senator Brodeur: SHOW CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 1452 REPORTS FAVORABLY. MOVING RIGHT ALONG TAB NUMBER EIGHT SENATOR MASSULLO FEP PACKAGE. BIG PIECE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED SIR. >> Senator Massullo: THIS ELIMINATES THE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION RULEMAKING AUTHORITY DIRECTLY TO THE FEP. THE ARC AND TRANSFERS ADMINISTRATION OF THE FLORIDA COMMUNITY TRUST TO THE ARRC TO IMPROVE COORDINATION OF CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION AND STEWARDSHIP AS WELL AS THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON BASIN AREA TO CONNECT ESSENTIAL SEWER UPGRADE TO ENHANCE NUTRIENT REDUCING SEPTIC SYSTEMS FOR JULY 12030. IT STRENGTHENS BASIN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS BY PROHIBITING NEW SEPTIC SYSTEMS WERE SEWER IS AVAILABLE AND REQUIRING AN ENHANCED NUTRITION REDUCING NUTRIENT REDUCING SYSTEMS IN THOSE SENSITIVE AREAS. AND REQUIRES ON SITE SEWER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM REMEDIATION PLANS AS PART OF B MAP WHEN A SYSTEMS SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO NUTRIENT POLLUTION AND UPDATES PERMITTING AND OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMANCE BASED AND AEROBIC SYSTEMS INCLUDING MAINTENANCE REPORTING AND OPERATING AND REMIT MODIFICATIONS ON PROPERTY IT GETS ALTERED IN A MINUTE LATER ON IT REVISES RESILIENT FLORIDA GRANT PROGRAM DEFINITIONS TO REDUCE COST SHARE EXPANDING ACCESS FOR SMALL RURAL AND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. IT ESTABLISHES CLEAR TIMELINES FOR BASIN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS TO TAKE EFFECT AND ENHANCES ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH MILESTONE TRACKING AND PERIODIC ASSESSMENTS AND MODIFIES AIR OPERATION LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION AND AUTHORIZES PENALTIES FOR LATE PAYMENT AND PROVIDES GRANTS TO FINANCIALLY DISABLED SMALL COMMUNITIES FOR WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, SUPPORTING WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTIONS AND THAT IS THE BILL AND THERE ARE TWO AMENDMENTS. >> Chair: LET'S GO TO THE AMENDMENT BARCODE 511232 BY SENATOR MASSULLO YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE FIRST AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU. THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT REINFORCES BOARD'S COMMITMENT TO EXPAND RENEWABLE SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION STATEWIDE RECOGNIZING SOLAR INFRASTRUCTURE AS A CRITICAL FLORIDA ENERGY RELIABILITY AND ECONOMIC FUTURE AND ENSURES SOLAR FACILITIES CAN BE CONSTRUCTED EXCUSE ME AND MAINTAINED IN DIVERSE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. IT DEFINES THE DEFINITION OF A SOLAR FACILITY AND PERMITS THE USE OF AGRICULTURAL AREAS FOR LANDSCAPING AND BUFFER STANDARD THAT ALLOWS COUNTIES TO ADOPT BUFFERS AND LANDSCAPING ORDINANCES PROHIBITING TO EXCEED THOSE IMPOSED ON SIMILAR PERMITTED SITES AND STRENGTHEN STORMWATER AND EROSION CONTROL CONSTRUCTION PLANS REQUIRING APPLICANTS FOR STORMWATER PERMITS UNDER STATUTE 373.4132 INCORPORATE SITE SPECIFIC EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PROTECTIONS AND MANDATES SOIL PERCOLATION TESTING AND IT ALSO REQUIRES OPERATIONAL STORMWATER SYSTEMS AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA TO BE DESIGNED FOR A 100 YEAR STORM. THIS IS FOR APPLICATIONS FILED AFTER JULY 1st, 2026, AND REQUIRES OPERATORS TO IMPLEMENT ALL APPLICABLE CONSTRUCTION AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND IT ALSO REQUIRES STORMWATER BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DESIGNED FOR 100 YEAR 24 HOUR STORM EVENTS IN THOSE AREAS. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE. DEBATE? THERE WE GO. LEADER BERMAN IN DEBATE YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Berman: THE WORD SOLAR IS BEING DISCUSSED IN ONE OF OUR COMMITTEES. I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF SOLAR AND I THINK THAT SINCE WE ARE THE SUNSHINE STATE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET MORE SOLAR HERE EVEN IF IT'S ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM I'M HAPPY TO SEE IT IN OUR STATUTE. I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS. >> Chair: SENATOR MASSULLO TO CLOSE. >> IT'S ONE IN A GENERATION IN OUR STATE AND WE NEED TO BE ALL IN ALL ABOVE. >> Chair: OBJECTION? SHOW THIS ADOPTED. SENATOR MASSULLO GO TO THE NEXT AMENDMENT BARCODE 891122. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >> Senator Massullo: THIS SIMPLY REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT TO REPORT CERTAIN SEPTIC TANK DISCLOSURES DURING THE SALE OF A PROPERTY. >> Chair: QUESTIONS? LEADER BERMAN. >> Senator Berman: WHY ARE WE REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT? >> Chair: SENATOR MASSULLO. >> THE REQUIREMENT IS REMOVED PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO ACTUALLY DETERMINE THE REPORTING OF SUCH REQUIREMENTS. BUT IT DOES TRANSFER WITH THE PROPERTY AND WITH ALL THE PROPERTY THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CHANGE OF ENFORCEMENT. THE NEW WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT DDT TO DETERMINE IF THEY NEED TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM BASED ON THIS. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE THERE IS NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT. WE ARE IN DEBATE. WAIVE CLOSED. ANY OBJECTION? SEEING NONE SHOW THIS ADOPTED. THERE ARE NO MORE AMENDMENTS. WE ARE BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. ARE THE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED? LEADER BERMAN. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED BEFORE AND COMMITTEE AND WE SPOKE A BIT ABOUT WHY THE B MAP IMPLEMENTATION IS 60 DAYS BUT IT IS PROBABLY A LITTLE LONGER THAN THEY WOULD NEED WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO AMEND YOUR BILL TO MAKE IT SHORTER FOR THE B MAP IT LIMITATION? >> Chair: SENATOR MASSULLO. >> Senator Massullo: WE CONSIDERED A LOT IN THESE TIME FRAMES CERTAINLY 60 DAYS IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE ALL TEND TO WANT TO CLING TO, PARTICULARLY IN THE SENATE. BUT I THINK THAT IT GIVES AMPLE TIME FOR A PROPERTY OWNER TO MAKE THE CHANGES NECESSARY WITH PERMITTING AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS WE THOUGHT THAT WAS ACCURATE. >> Chair: QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE PUBLIC TESTIMONY? ALEX CRONAN FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S WAIVING IN SUPPORT. BRIAN SMART FLORIDA SPRINGS COUNSEL. COME ON UP. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU CHAIR BERODEUR. THAKN YOU COMMITTEE. WE HAVE CONCERNS WITH THAT LANGUAGE IN LINE 1310 TO 1312 THAT SENATOR BERMAN WAS JUST MENTIONING. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON ALL BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANS BUT I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE ONES FOR OUTSTANDING FLORIDA SPRINGS AND WHAT THIS WILL DO IN THE FACT IS CREATE IS 60 DAY WINDOW WHEN CONVENTIONAL SEPTIC TANKS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE PROHIBITED WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE INSTALLED. THAT WILL MEAN MORE POLLUTION FOR THE INDOOR AQUIFER AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO RESTORE THE SPRINGS WHEN WE GET TO IT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT DEP ONLY PUTS THESE PROHIBITIONS IN WERE SEPTIC TANKS ARE A MAJOR SOURCE OF POLLUTION AND WHERE THEY DETERMINE IT IS APSLEY NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS TO GET THE TANKS OUT AND THEN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO ESPECIALLY IN PLACES LIKE SILVER, RAINBOW, THERE IS A PROVISION THAT SAYS ALL CONVENTIONAL SEPTIC TANKS HAVE TO BE REMOVED BY 2038. SO YOU CAN SEE A PROCESS WHERE WE ARE LETTING SOMEONE PUT A CONVENTIONAL SEPTIC TANK IN THE GROUND IN 2027 THEN TELLING THE PROPERTY OWNER THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT AT A COST OF 20, 30, $40,000 BY 2038. THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE SO MUCH TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF SEPTIC TANKS. HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PULL SEPTIC TANKS OUT OF THESE CRITICAL NOT GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL OR FISCAL POLICY TO CREATE WINDOW WHERE WE CAN PUT MORE IN THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PAY TO TAKE OUT LATER. THANK YOU. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY FROM THE PUBLIC? WE ARE IN DEBATE MEMBERS. LEADER BERMAN. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU. THAT REALLY CONVINCED ME. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO? THIS IS MY DEBATE. I WILL SUPPORT THE BILL TODAY BUT I HAVE CONCERNS THAT SOMEONE WILL BE PUTTING A SEPTIC TANK IN NOW AND HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT LATER. IS THERE ANYWAY YOU HAVE INTEREST MOVING FORWARD EITHER IN YOUR DEBATE NOW OR MOVING FORWARD BEFORE WE HEAR THE BILL ON THE FLOOR THAT WILL BE HELPFUL. THANK YOU. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL DEBATE? SENATOR MASSULLO TO CLOSE. >> Senator Massullo: WE WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO LOOK AT ALL STAKEHOLDERS IDEAS AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR CONTRACTORS AND THINK THEY WOULD BE MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN DOING THINGS LIKE THAT. OF COURSE YOU CANNOT ALWAYS GUARANTEE PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR BUT WE WILL LOOK AT THAT AND I THOUGHT THE 60 DAYS WAS A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME CONSIDERING THE PERMITS AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS REQUIRED AND IT WAS MAINLY FOR PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR SEPTIC SYSTEM. IT WASN'T NECESSARILY FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COME IN AND TRY TO SNEAK IN UNDERWIRE THE WIRE. IF IT WERE UP TO ME AND I COULD WAIVE A MAGIC WAND WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS IN OUR STATE BUT SOMEDAY THAT MIGHT HAPPEN AND IT AND KNOWLEDGE. FOR NOW WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS A WORK IN PROGRESS. WITH THAT I CLOSE. >> Chair: JULIE CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 1510. >> SENATOR ARRINGTON. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SANTA RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR TRUENOW. VICE CHAIR BERMAN. CHAIR BRODEUR. >> BY YOUR VOTE SHOW CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL 1510 REPORTS FAVORABLY. I'M GLAD THE SENATE PAGES COULD BE HERE TO SHOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE FLUSH YOUR TOILET. I PROMISED WE WOULD DO MORE EXCITING STUFF HERE. PROBABLY WASN’T SENATOR DICEGLIE BUT HE'S UP NEXT ANYWAY. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED SIR. >> Senator DiCeglie: NO FLUSHING OF THE COILS ON THIS BILL. SENATE BILL 1566 IMPROVES LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENT SAME THE BILL REQUIRES COUNTIES IN US OF COUNTIES TO PUBLISH THEIR BUDGETS ONLINE AND TO KEEP THEM ONLINE FOR FIVE YEARS. IT REQUIRES TENTATIVE BUDGETS AND AMENDMENTS TO BE POSTED ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE SEVEN DAYS BEFORE PUBLIC HEARING AND GIVE THE PUBLIC AMPLE TIME TO REVIEW AND WAY IN AND THE BILL PRESCRIBES A UNIVERSAL DETAILED FORM FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO POSTERIOR BUDGET INFORMATION ONLINE FOR PUBLIC VIEW. THAT IS THE BILL. THERE IS AN AMENDMENT. >> Chair: IT'S BIG. BAR CODE 534942 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED ON THE STRIKE ALL. >> Senator DiCeglie: THIS REMOVES SECTIONS TWO AND SIX OF THE BILL PERTAINING TO COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL OWNED UTILITY REVENUE. IT ALSO MAKES A TECHNICAL REVISION TO THE PROVISION REQUIRING COUNTIES IN THIS PROPOSED WEBSITE. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: QUESTIONS? LEADER BERMAN IN QUESTIONS. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR I THINK I'M ON THE RIGHT BILL THIS TIME. SO, SENATOR DICEGLIE BACK TO THE QUESTION WHICH CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE YOU FOUND THAT DO NOT PUBLISH THEIR BUDGET? SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Senator DiCeglie: SENATOR BERMAN IS THIS ON THE AMENDMENT OR THE UNDERLYING BILL? >> Senator Berman: IT CAN WAIT. LET'S ADOPT THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT. THERE'S NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY. IS THERE DEBATE? OBJECTION? SEEING NONE WE AREN'T SHOWING THIS AMENDMENT ADOPTED. WE ARE BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED AND WE ARE IN QUESTIONS. LEADER BERMAN. >> Chair: FOR THE THIRD. CAN WE SPEED UP NOW. >> Senator DiCeglie: THIRD TIME IS A CHARM. >> Senator Berman: WHICH CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE YOU FOUND DO NOT PUBLISH THEIR BUDGETS ONLINE? >> Senator DiCeglie: THANK YOU. CURRENT FLORIDA LAW REQUIRES COUNTIES TO HAVE THEIR BUDGET ON THE WEBSITE IF THERE IS A MUNICIPALITY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A WEBSITE THEN THEY HAVE TO OBVIOUSLY DEPOSE THEIR MUNICIPAL BUDGET ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE. SO ALL COUNTIES SHOULD HAVE THEIR BUDGET ON THE WEBSITE. >> Chair: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, LEADER BERMAN. >> Senator Berman: FOLLOW UP. >> Chair: YOU CAN GO BACK AND FORTH. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. SENATOR IF THEY ALREADY HAVE TO PUBLISH THIS ONLINE WHAT EVIDENCE HAVE YOU FOUND THAT THE SYSTEM IS FAILING? >> Senator DiCeglie: THANK YOU LEADER BERMAN. GREAT QUESTION. THE SYSTEM IS NOT FAILING. I THINK THE SYSTEM IS GIVING US BASIC INFORMATION ON A BUDGET. THE BILL REQUIRES SOME ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TAXPAYER AND OUR CONSTITUENTS TO GO ONTO THE WEBSITE AND REALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DIVE INTO THE LOCAL BUDGET WHETHER BEING MUNICIPAL OR COUNTY. THE BILL REALLY IS ABOUT ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HOW THEIR TAXPAYER MONEY SPENT AND HOW THEIR LOCAL ELECTED LEADERS ARE CRAFTING THEIR BUDGET AND WE EVEN REQUIRE THEM TO KEEP THAT PARTICULAR ANNUAL BUDGET ON THE WEBSITE FOR FIVE TOTAL YEARS. THE BILL IS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A BROKEN SYSTEM. WE ARE IMPROVING THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE. >> Senator Berman: HOW DOES THE BILL AVOID DUPLICATING THE STRUCTURE ALREADY MAINTAINED BY THE STATE? >> Senator Berman: WE WILL GO FOR TWO HOW DOES THE BILL AVOID DUPLICATING WHAT STRUCTURE HAS ALREADY BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE STATE. >> Senator DiCeglie: GREAT QUESTION I'M WORKING WITH THE COUNTIES IN THE CITIES TO IDENTIFY THE DUPLICATION. AS THIS IS THE SECOND COMMITTEE STOP YOU KNOW AS MOST OF MY BILLS THEY ALREADY CONTINUE TO BE A WORK IN PROGRESS AND MY GOAL HERE IS TO REALLY KIND OF HOME IN WHAT I FEEL WOULD BE A GREAT BENEFIT TO THE TAXPAYER WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THE LOCAL BUDGETS ARE POSTED ON THE VARIOUS WEBSITES. >> Chair: THANK YOU. SENATOR DICEGLIE, HAV