House in Session

THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER. MEMBERS AND VISITORS IN THE GALLERY PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRAYER. WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE WITH US TODAY PASTOR KYLE ROGERS WITH CHAPEL AT THE INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIVE YEAGER. PASTOR APPROACH THE WELL PLEASE. >> MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE THANK YOU. IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND I AM HUMBLED TO LEAD THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN PRAYER TODAY. LET US PRAY. BOARD WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. EVERY DAY IS A GIFT AND WE STAND HERE FULLY AWARE OF IT. AT THE START OF THIS SESSION WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE THE GIVER OF WISDOM, SOURCE OF STRENGTH, AUTHOR OF PURPOSE. WE HAVE HELD MANY THINGS IN OUR HANDS AND LOST THEM. BUT WHATEVER WE HAVE PLACED IN YOUR HANDS WE STILL POSSESS. TODAY WE PUT YOU FIRST BEFORE POLICY, DEBATE, DECISIONS, WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM TO COVER IN EVERY CONVERSATION AND VOTE. YOUR WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OURS AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING SURPASSES OUR OWN. DIRECT OUR STEPS AS WE SERVE THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA. UNITE THIS HOUSE UNDER A SHARED COMMITMENT TO TRUTH, INTEGRITY, AND EXCELLENCE. BIND US TOGETHER AS LEADERS. INCREASE WISDOM IN THIS CHAMBER. STRENGTHEN OUR DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING FOR THE DECISIONS BEFORE US. DECLARE PROTECTION AND STRENGTH FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, STAND WITH MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN AS THEY STAND FOR FREEDOM AND FORTIFY THEIR FAMILIES WITH PEACE AND RESILIENCE. WE LIFT UP SPEAKER PEREZ AND GRANT HIM CLARITY, RESOLVE, AND COURAGE IN LEADERSHIP, GUARDED HIS HOME, ESTABLISHES STEPS, AND FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THIS HOUSE AND STAFF STRENGTHEN THEM WITH THE WEIGHT OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY AND PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES AND ANCHOR THEIR HOMES IN PIECE. MAY TRUTH BE SPOKEN WITH CONVICTION AND MAY AUTHORITY BE EXERCISED WITH HUMILITY AND MAY LEADERSHIP BE MARKED BY INTEGRITY THAT WHAT IS DECIDED IN THIS CHAMBER ADVANTAGE JUSTICE, STRENGTH AND STABILITY, AND ADVANCE THE WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA. IN YOU O GOD WE TRUST AND IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AMEND. UNLOCK THE MACHINES AND MEMBERS RECORD THEIR PRESENCE. HAVE ALL MEMBERS RECORDED THEIR PRESENCE? LOCK THE MACHINE AND ANNOUNCE THE PRESENCE OF QUORUM. >> 106 MEMBERS VOTING. A QUORUM IS PRESENT. MEMBERS AND VISITORS IN THE GALLERY RISE FOR THE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WILL BE LED BY MADALYN BERNIER FROM TALLAHASSEE AT THE REQUEST OF REPRESENTATIVE HODGERS AND CLAIR FROM PALM BEACH AT THE INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIVE EDMONDS AND NILA DAVIS FROM WEST PALM BEACH OF THE INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIVE EDMONDS AND FERNANDEZ FROM PINECREST AT THE INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIVE PORRAS AND BETTINA FROM CORAL SPRINGS AT THE INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIVE SKIDMORE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. WE ARE HONORED TO BE JOINED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE DAY MAJOR RIVERO WITH THE MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT THE INVITATION OF REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA HOUSE. [APPLAUSE]. ARE THERE CORRECTIONS TO THE JOURNAL? SHOW THE JOURNAL APPROVED. ARE THE REPORTS OUTSTANDING ON COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE? >> ON THE DESK. READ THE REPORT. >> HONORABLE DANIEL PEREZ SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEAR MR. SPEAKER YOUR RULES AND ETHICS COMMITTEE SUBMITS A SPECIAL ORDER FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19th, 2026. THE SPECIAL ORDER RESCINDS THE FEBRUARY 19th, 2026, SPECIAL ORDER RULES AND ETHICS COMMITTEE ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 10th, 2026, CONSIDERATION OF THE HOUSE BILL ON SPECIAL ORDER SHALL INCLUDE THE SECOND COMPANION MEASURES ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR. READ THE REPORT. REPRESENTATIVE GARRISON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. SPECIAL CALENDAR ALLOCATION TIMES FOR DEBATE NEW ADOPTION SPECIAL REPORT THERE 92020. QUESTIONS? DEBATE? THOSE IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? ADOPTED. REPORTS? >> NONE. MOTIONS RELATED TO THE COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE REFERENCES? MATTERS ON RECONSIDERATION? BILLS FOR JOINT RESOLUTION ON THIRD READING. >> NONE. MEMBERS, PLEASE GRAB A SEAT FOR A FEW MINUTES. TODAY WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THE TURNING POINT OF OUR SESSION. THIS ROAD WE HAVE BEEN TRAVELING TOGETHER NARROWS AND OUR CHOICES EVERMORE SHARPLY SHAPE OUR FUTURE. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE DAYS AHEAD WILL DECIDE IF WE WILL BE HERE ANOTHER THREE WEEKS OR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS. LAST NIGHT I READ ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A SENATE PROPERTY TAX PLAN THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING WEEKS, MONTHS TO SEE. I HAVE TRIED HARD NEVER TO DOUBT THE SINCERITY OF THE SENATE'S WORDS. THE HOUSE ON THE OTHER HAND PREFERS ACTIONS. AND TODAY WE ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT A HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND WHEN WE PASS REPRESENTATIVE MILLER'S BILL OFF THE FLOOR TODAY THIS MAY WELL BE THE MOST AGGRESSIVE LEGISLATION EVER PASSED BY LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER ON PROPERTY TAXES IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. [APPLAUSE]. OUR ACTIONS TODAY ARE NOT SUDDEN. NOR DO THEY MEET ANY REASONABLE DEFINITION OF THE WORD QUICK. THE GOVERNOR PUSHED THE TOPIC INTO THE FOREFRONT OF OUR POLITICAL CONVERSATION OVER A YEAR AGO. THE HOUSE HAS ENGAGED IN STEADY THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATION THAT BEGAN WITH THE WORK OF OUR SELECT COMMITTEE ON PROPERTY TAXES. ALTHOUGH THIS HJR STANDS AS THE HOUSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROPERTY TAX CONVERSATION, WE CONTINUE TO BE OPEN TO ANY OF THE SENATE'S IDEAS PROVIDED THOSE IDEAS EVER MATERIALIZE AS ACTIONS. IN THIS CHAMBER WE HAVE TRIED TO COLLAPSE THE SPACE BETWEEN WHAT WE SAY AND WHAT WE DO. WE HAVE TACKLED HARD ISSUES FROM E VERIFY TO CIVIL LIABILITY OF AN UNBORN CHILD, TO LOWERING THE AGE TO PURCHASE A RIFLE FROM A 21 TO ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY IN THE SENATE. WE HAVE ENGAGED WITH ONE ANOTHER FAIRLY AND DEBATED EMOTIONAL ISSUES WITH RESPECT. WE HAVE KEPT OUR COMMITTEE PROCESS OPEN. AND WE TRIED TO EMPOWER THE CHAIRS TO SPREAD THEIR WINGS. IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE WE HAVE NO GATE KEEPER EMPOWERED TO DECIDE WHETHER BILLS LIVE OR DIE BUT INSTEAD WE HAVE TRIED TO RESPECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR COMMITTEE PROCESS. I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE BILLS THAT HAVE NOT SURVIVED THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT. I HAVE BEEN THERE. BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE IDEAS THAT OUR COLLEAGUES DO NOT SHARE AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO LISTEN MORE AND DIG DEEPER AND FIND NEW WAYS TO SOLVE OLD PROBLEMS. SOME THINGS TAKE TIME. ALSO KNOW THIS, YOUR SUCCESS AS A HOUSE MEMBER IS NOT A SCORECARD OF BILLS PASSED. IT IS ABOUT HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BODY. THE CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE HAD, THE WORK YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF THE IDEAS YOU'VE CHAMPION, AND THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR COLLEAGUES. IF THIS SPEAKERSHIP HAS DONE ANYTHING IT HAS DONE THIS, OUR WHOLE IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF OUR PARTS. [APPLAUSE]. NO LEGISLATION WE PRODUCE STANDS AS A BIGGER TESTAMENT TO THAT THEN OUR BUDGET. SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION, THE FLORIDA HOUSE HAS PRODUCED ITS PROPOSED GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT BY WEEK SIX. HERE WE ARE TODAY ON TIME AND READY TO PROCEED. CHAIR MCCLURE AND OUR BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS HAVE DONE EXCEPTIONAL WORK. WE HAVE PRODUCED FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW A BUDGET THAT LOWER SPENDING OVER THE PRIOR YEAR AND EMBODIES THE PRINCIPLES OF FISCAL CONSERVATISM. MANY OF US RAN FOR THIS WHEN WE WERE ESPOUSING TO BE REPRESENTATIVES. THE QUESTION NATURALLY IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. AT THE CONCLUSION OF SESSION TODAY WE WILL APPOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEES AND WE WILL STAND READY TO BEGIN THE ALLOCATION PROCESS. IT IS OUR HOPE AND PRAYER THAT WE WILL MAKE GOOD PROGRESS AND BE IN A POSITION TO CONFERENCE BY WEEK EIGHT OF SESSION. WE WILL TALK TO ANYONE ANY TIME ABOUT ANYTHING. WE WILL NEVER LET PERSONALITIES OR PAST RESENTMENTS IMPEDE OUR WORK. BUT ALSO PLEASE UNDERSTAND WE WILL NOT BE PUSHED BY ARTIFICIAL DEADLINES AND WE WILL NOT SACRIFICE A LITTLE INTEGRITY JUST TO GAIN A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. [APPLAUSE]. I CAN PROMISE YOU THIS, AT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY IN EVERY DECISION WE MAKE THIS HOUSE WILL BE GUIDED BY A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE. WE WILL DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TODAY. LET'S GET TO IT. [APPLAUSE]. ARE THERE BILLS ON THE SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR? >> ON THE DESK. READ THE FIRST BILL. >> BY WAYS AND MEANS, STATE AFFAIRS, REPRESENTATIVE MILLER AND OTHER CS FOR CSR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 203 THE JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION SIX OF ARTICLE SEVEN THE CREATION OF SECTION SEVEN OF ARTICLE EIGHT AND THE CREATION OF A NEW SECTION ARTICLE 12 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE EXEMPTION FOR HOMESTEAD AND PROPERTY AD VALOREM TAXATION OTHER THAN SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVIED FOR TEN YEARS BY CERTAIN AMOUNT BUT TO MAKE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM ALL AD VALOREM TAXATION OTHER THAN SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVY'S BEGINNING IN THE SPECIFIED YEAR TO PROHIBIT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REDUCING FUNDING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS AND PROVIDE EFFECTIVE DATE. BEFORE WE GET UNDERWAY LET'S DO SOME RECOGNITIONS. REPRESENTATIVE CANADY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR RECOGNITION. IT IS MY HONOR BACHELOR AND SOCIAL LEVEL FROM THE FLORIDA HOUSE TODAY THE STUDENTS ARE PREPARING FOR CAREERS DEDICATED TO SERVING OTHERS STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF FLORIDIANS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE IN YEARS AHEAD WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA HOUSE STUDENTS. [APPLAUSE]. REPRESENTATIVE BLACK FOR RECOGNITION. GOOD MORNING MAY I DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE WEST GALLERY WHERE WE HAVE DOCTOR BOARD CERTIFIED OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY PHYSICIAN SERVING PATIENTS IN NORTH FLORIDA FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS HAILING FROM JACKSONVILLE, AND VETERAN, AND IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS THE DOCTOR THE DAY TODAY IN THE SENATE. MEMBERS, PLEASE WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA HOUSE DOCTOR MICHELLE MENDEZ. [APPLAUSE]. WELCOME TO FLORIDA HOUSE. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE HJR. THANK YOU. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 203 FLORIDIANS HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR RELIEF FROM PROPERTY TAXES. THE HOUSE HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO ANSWER THE CALL. TODAY I AM DELIGHTED TO PRESENT THIS JOINT RESOLUTION TO PHASE OUT ALL NONSCHOOL AD VALOREM TAXES ON HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES OVER TEN YEARS. ONCE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE THIS WOULD GO ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT FOR VOTER APPROVAL. MR. SPEAKER, THAT IS THE JOINT RESOLUTION. QUESTIONS? REPRESENTATIVE NIXON. WHERE IS SHE? WHAT IS THE FISCAL IMPACT THAT LOCAL MINISTER POLITIES COLLECTIVELY ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE GOING TO HAVE AS IT RELATES TO THIS HJR IF IT IS PAST AND VOTED ON IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. IN THE FIRST YEAR THE TOTAL IS $4.8 BILLION AND THE OVERALL IMPACT IS $14.7 BILLION. REPRESENTATIVE NIXON. ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT ESSENTIAL SERVICES AS IT RELATES TO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, ROAD REPAIR, AS WELL AS PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED IF THIS BILL PASSES? IF THE HJR PASSES AND IS VOTED AFFIRMATIVELY? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I AM NOT. IN 2020 WE WERE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THIS WITH LESS MONEY THAN YOU WILL HAVE AFTER THIS BILL TAKES ITS FULL EFFECT. I AM ACTUALLY CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN FIND A PATH FORWARD WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF SERVICES. REPRESENTATIVE NIXON. ARE YOU TAKING INTO ACCOUNT BASED ON YOUR LAST RESPONSE THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE TO THE STATE AS WELL AS THE HIGH INFLATION COST? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. YES. REPRESENTATIVE TANT. I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. UNDER CURRENT CONSTITUTION AND LAW WE HAVE EXEMPTIONS FOR PERMANENTLY DISABLED VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES AS WELL AS QUADRIPLEGICS. I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I'VE CARRIED BILLS ON SOME OF THEM. WHEN WE PASS THIS BILL CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE HIGHER FEES NOW THEY HAVE TO PAY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED OTHERWISE UNDER LAW CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY THEY WOULD HAVE NO PROPERTY TAX AT ALL IN SOME CASES VETERANS HAVE A TAPERED OFF AMOUNT AND UNDER THIS PROPOSAL THEY WOULD HAVE NO PROPERTY TAX ISSUES? REPRESENTATIVE TANT. UNDER THIS A BILL ALL THE THINGS THEY GET LIKE EMS AND FIRE WHEN THEY HAVE BECAUSE OF THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT ARE PAID THOSE WILL ALL GO AWAY FOREVER SO CONSEQUENTLY WE WOULD HAVE TO FIND A BUDGET TO SPEND ON THOSE KINDS OF THINGS SO WILL THIS GO TO A SERVICE FEE KIND OF PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR SERVICES FOR OUR CITIZENS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. I CANNOT POSSIBLY SPEAK TO ANY SCENARIO THAT WOULD GO FORWARD. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION IS I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND THE NUMBERS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO COVER THE COST OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SO I DO NOT EXPECT FEES TO GO UP. AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT BURDEN WOULD EVER FALL BACK ON THEM NORMALLY. REPRESENTATIVE CROSS. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER HAVE YOU OBTAINED A BOND MARKET OR CREDIT RATING ANALYSIS SHOWING HOW ELIMINATING LOCAL AD VALOREM TAX CAPACITY WILL AFFECT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CREDIT RATINGS AND BORROWING COSTS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. NO. REPRESENTATIVE CROSS. IS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS A LOCAL CREDIT RATING SO A POOR RATING WILL THIS CAUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PAY MORE IN INTEREST FOR IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I CANNOT SPEAK IT THIS ON A BROAD BASIS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ON AN INDIVIDUAL CASE BY CASE BASIS. REPRESENTATIVE CROSS. I WILL NOTE THAT GENERALLY A BETTER CREDIT RATING BOND RATING WOULD MAKE THINGS LESS EXPENSIVE SO WITH THAT LINE OF QUESTIONING WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITH OUR TAXPAYER MONEY WITH LOWER CREDIT RATINGS THAT MAY HAPPEN WITH THIS PROPOSAL? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. THERE WAS A LOT IN THERE. I AM NOT A BANKER I CAN TELL YOU ANY YOU HAVE A LOAN OF ANY KIND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF RISKS THAT GET CALCULATED INTO IT SO I COULD NOT POSSIBLY SPEAK TO THAT. REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG. I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT SPECIFIC REVENUE SOURCES DO YOU PROPOSE TO REPLACE NONSCHOOL AD VALOREM REVENUES WITH THIS AMENDMENT THAT IT WILL ILLUMINATE COULD I CLARIFY? STATE SALES TAX, TAXES ON NON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. MY SHORT ANSWER IS NONE. IN ORANGE COUNTY WHICH I BELIEVE IS WHERE YOU LIVE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE TOTAL INCREASE IN LOCAL BUDGET HAS GONE UP 90 PERCENT. I AM ACTUALLY CONFIDENT THERE ARE WAYS TO CUT COSTS IN THAT BECAUSE POPULATION HAS NOT GROWN BY 90 PERCENT. REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG. IF THIS IS DECLINING DUE TO EXEMPTION EXPANDING BUT PUBLIC SAFETY SPENDING IS CONSTITUTIONALLY LOT WHICH SERVICES ARE MUNICIPALITIES ARE EXPECTED TO CUT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. AS I SAID BEFORE I DO NOT EXPECT WE WILL HAVE TO CUT SERVICES I THINK WE WILL SIT DOWN AND HAVE HARD DISCUSSIONS. THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THE FLORIDA HOUSE WE HAVE HAD TOUGH DISCUSSIONS AND WE HAVE BROUGHT FORTH THE BUDGETS THAT ARE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS LESS THAN THEY WERE THE PREVIOUS YEARS AND IT TAKES WORK TO SIT DOWN AND MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN AND I AM EXPECTING THAT THIS WILL STIMULATE A CULTURE OF THRIFT ACROSS OUR GREAT FREE STATE AND WE WILL END UP HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS AND ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG THIS IS ASSUMPTION OR BASED OFF OF MODELING THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN REGARD TO THIS? PARKS AND LIBRARY, ROAD MAINTENANCE, STORMWATER IS BEING PAID FOR? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. WE AS A BODY HAVE BEEN STUDYING THIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. WE BROUGHT IN EXPERTS FROM EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT AND LOOKED AT ALL THE NUMBERS. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS A REASONABLE MEASURED APPROACH AND IT GIVES TIME FOR PEOPLE TO PHASE IT OUT OVER TIME. THE FIRST YEAR'S IMPACT IS NOT EVEN $5 BILLION ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE. I AM CONFIDENT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN ABSORB THAT WITHOUT HAVING TO CUT COSTS AND IF THEY ARE THEN WE WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT ESSENTIAL SERVICES ARE. EVERYONE SAYS THAT LIBRARIES. LET'S START WITH LOBBYISTS. REPRESENTATIVE RAYNER. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE, THESE ARE QUESTIONS I HAVE ASKED AND BOTH COMMITTEES BUT HAVE YOU ARE STAFF CONDUCTED ANY TYPE OF STUDY THAT PROVIDES EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE THAT DEMONSTRATES WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING WILL ACHIEVE THE INTENDED OUTCOME? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. IF IT MEANS THIS WILL BE GOING OUT TO THE VOTERS AND IF THE VOTERS AGREE THAT THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT AND THIS PASSES IT WILL BECOME A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WILL CUT OFF HOMESTEADED AD VALOREM TAXES OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS. REPRESENTATIVE RAYNER. THANK YOU. AND HAVE YOU ACTUALLY STUDIED OR ASKED OR SPOKEN WITH STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR UNFUNDED MANDATES FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLIANCE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE IF THIS HJR SHOULD PASS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS AND THEY WILL BE A TWO WAY CONVERSATION. ONE THING WE WILL HAVE TO DISCUSS IN THE NEXT LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO DISCUSS IS IN IMPLEMENTING LANGUAGE IF THERE ARE ONEROUS UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT SHOULD BE REASSESSED WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WOULD PUT TOGETHER A BOOM LIMITING LANGUAGE. REPRESENTATIVE RAYNER. THANK YOU. I WANT TO GET TO THE AMBIGUITY OF SOME LITIGATION. WHAT GUARDRAILS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO PREVENT AMBIGUOUS CONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE FROM GENERATING INCREASED LITIGATION THAT WOULD COST TAXPAYERS MONEY IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THIS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I DON'T KNOW IF I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION BUT CERTAINLY ANYTHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OUR COURTS WOULD FIGURE IT OUT. REPRESENTATIVE HART LOWMAN. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED HOW THIS WOULD IMPACT COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES AND THE RENT THAT WOULD INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THIS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. AS PART OF THE ANALYSIS WHEN WE COME OUT OF THE PROPERTY TAX COMMITTEE WE CAME OUT WITH A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS NOT JUST ONE AND REPRESENTATIVE GRIFFITTS HAS A WONDERFUL PROPOSAL THAT WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE CANNOT GO AND SHIFT ALL OF THIS TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES FOR EXAMPLE. REPRESENTATIVE HART LOWMAN. BUT HOW CAN WE AS THE LEGISLATURE EVEN MAKE THAT DETERMINATION THAT COMMERCIAL PEOPLE WANT THE OWNERS OF APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND ALL WILL NOT SHIFT THIS TO RENTERS WHO ARE ALREADY IN A CRISIS. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I WILL GO BACK TO WHAT I SAID BEFORE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO INCREASE COSTS. I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS JUST LIKE EVERY FLORIDA FAMILY IS DOING TODAY. I DO NOT GET A 50 PERCENT RAISE JUST BECAUSE THE COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP 50 PERCENT. NEITHER DOES THE STATE OF FLORIDA OR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS AND WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE AND WE ARE PROPOSING AN AMOUNT THAT IS GREATER THAN WE DID IN 2020. WE ARE NOT CUTTING COSTS. WERE JUST GOING BACK IN TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE GET IT THEN. REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. I HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER HOW WILL THIS JOINT RESOLUTION BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE REAL WORLD? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THERE WILL BE IN LIMITING LANGUAGE CREATED BY THE NEXT LEGISLATURE. REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. HOW WILL THIS IMPACT LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOND RATING AND INTEREST RATES? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. WE HAVE ALREADY ADDRESSED THIS IN A PREVIOUS QUESTION. REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. I DON'T THINK WE GOT AN ANSWER BUT I WILL GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION. HOW WILL CITIES AND COUNTIES PAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE SERVICES INCREASES THAT AVERAGE FIVE TO 10 PERCENT PER YEAR WITH THIS REDUCTION. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE LEVEL OF SPENDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT GOING FORWARD HOW IT'S DONE AGAIN WE WILL HAVE BIG DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS JUST LIKE WE HAVE BEEN DOING HERE IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE TO REDUCE THE COST OF GOVERNMENT. WE WILL DO IT AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL AND THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GAIN EFFICIENCIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. I KNEW THE SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION HAS SUGGESTED IT WOULD BE HELPFUL OR THAT IS POSSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE SMALLER CITIES OR BOUTIQUE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISIONS TO GO AND WORK TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THERE ARE WAYS TO GAIN EFFICIENCIES AND LOOK FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO REDUCE SPENDING. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER I NEED CLARIFICATION IN AN AREA OF THIS BILL. THIS BILL REQUIRES COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO FUND A LAW ENFORCEMENT, OVER HUNDRED 851st RESPONDERS. AS PROVIDED BY GENERAL LAW THAT IS WHAT IS STATED IN THE BILL. DO YOU HAVE A STATUTORY DEFINITION OF GENERAL LAW? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. THIS IS CLARIFIED IN THE IMPLEMENTING LANGUAGE. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. WHERE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION BILL. IF YOU'RE SAYING IT WILL BE CLARIFIED DO YOU HAVE IN IMPLEMENTING BILL TO GO ALONG WITH THIS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. JUST LIKE CITIZEN LED INITIATIVE THERE IS NONE AND FOMENTING BILL. THE REALITY IS WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE COUNTERPARTS IN THE SENATE TO TELL US THEIR VISION AND UNTIL WE KNOW THE VISION LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON AMENDING LANGUAGE. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN. YOU KEEP LOOTING TO US HAVING TOUGH DECISIONS AND HAVING TO TIGHTEN THE BELTS BUT THE STATE BUDGET HAS INCREASED 42 PERCENT OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. HAVE WE CUT OUR BUDGET 42 PERCENT RECENTLY? REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN I DON'T KNOW THAT'S RELEVANT TO THE HJR. ADD FIVE SECONDS BACK TO THE DEBATE CLOCK AND ASK A QUESTION. AS A STATE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CUT A BUDGET FOR A TO PERCENT FOR THE INCREASE IS BECAUSE OF PENSIONS AND INSURANCE AND BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS INVOLVED IN THE STATE AND HOW MUCH THINGS COST. YOU IN AN AMENDMENT VERY SHORTLY NOW ARE GOING TO DEMAND THAT CITIES AND IS APOLOGIES CUT THEIR BUDGETS YEAR ONE. I AM TALKING AMENDMENT COMING BUT THERE ARE SOME CITIES THAT WILL LOSE 90 PERCENT OF THEIR BUDGET, 68 PERCENT OF THE BUDGET, SO I DO WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU KEEP LOOTING TO THE STATE WHEN YOU ARE BASICALLY CUTTING THE LEGS OFF THE CITIES AND COUNTIES RIGHT AWAY. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THERE WAS A LOT IN THERE I WILL TRY TO UNPACK IT A BIT AT A TIME. I WILL START BY SAYING BROWARD COUNTY, WHICH I BELIEVE IS WHERE YOU LIVE THERE BUDGET HAS GONE UP BY 71 PERCENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. THAT IS A BIG NUMBER AND WE ALL HAVE WORK TO DO. I'M DELIGHTED TO BE PART OF THIS BODY WHERE WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT HARD I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOUR CHARACTERIZATION THAT WE ARE CUTTING UP THE LEGS UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT. PROPERTY TAXES AT THE HOMESTEADED PROPERTY TAXES ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 36 PERCENT OF AD VALOREM TAXES. THAT IS NOT A HUGE NUMBER AND AGAIN THE FIRST YEAR IMPACT OF THIS BILL IS LESS THAN $5 BILLION ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE. THAT IS LESS THAN 10 PERCENT THAT WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO CUT AND WE ARE ASKING HIM TO DO IT OVER TIME. REPRESENTATIVE GANTT. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER WHERE IN YOUR BILL IS THE LANGUAGE THAT REQUIRES THE NEXT LEGISLATURE TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT AN BILL FOR THIS POLICY? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE IT IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE BILL. REPRESENTATIVE GANTT. IS THERE A RULE THAT REQUIRES THE IMPLEMENT THING BILL TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY OR IN HJR TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY INCREMENTING BILL? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. NOT THAT I AM AWARE OF. REPRESENTATIVE. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER EXPLAIN WHAT THE FUNDING IMPLICATIONS WOULD BE FOR THE FIVE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. SO, I THINK I WILL TAKE THIS AS A BIGGER THING BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS AS OTHERS AS WELL. WE AS A BODY HAVE A GIVEN MONEY TO THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS. WE ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT ONE PIECE OF THE MONEY THAT GOES TO FUNDING THEM. WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE THE ABILITY IN IMPLEMENT LANGUAGE TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT THEY ARE FUNDED TO ACCOMMODATE IT STATUTORILY IF THEY NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER REVENUE SOURCE IF IT IS SOMETHING WE DECIDE IS A NEED. I WILL GO BACK TO SAY WE WILL ALL HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RATIONALIZING WHAT WE ARE SPENDING AND MAKING SURE IT IS WHAT WE ARE SPENDING. I'M NOT LOOKING TO FILL HOLES WITH STATE FUNDING. REPRESENTATIVE ESKAMANI. HELLO REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL PAY FOR THINGS LIKE CHILDREN SERVICES, HOSPITALS, FIRE SERVICES, WHEN IT COMES TO VOTER APPROVED PAID REFERENDUMS AND RESOURCES? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I GUESS I WOULD PROBABLY WANT TO ADDRESS THAT ON A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE. ACROSS THE BOARD THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS WE COULD DO IT. LITERALLY THERE ARE TWO PAGES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF REVENUE SOURCES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN USE TO FUND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT CREATIVELY WHAT IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE SERVICES THEIR COMMUNITY WANTS. WE CAN ADDRESS COUNCILS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AND MAKE SURE IF THERE IS SOMETHING STATUTORILY IF THEY CAN CONTINUE THIS SERVICE THAT WE CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE. REPRESENTATIVE ESKAMANI. THANK YOU. WHAT WOULD BE THE APPROACH OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT AFFORD THE PUBLIC SAFETY CAP THAT IS ESTABLISHED IN YOUR BILL ONCE PROPERTY TAXES ARE ELIMINATED FOR HOMESTEADERS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I BELIEVE I HAVE ADDRESSED IT. WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES IN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IF YOU ARE A CITY WITH FIVE COPS I THINK IT IS TIME TO START ASKING YOUR SHERIFF CAN WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY LEAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GAIN EFFICIENCIES AND SAVE MONEY THAT WAY? REPRESENTATIVE DUNKLEY DO YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET TO ASK ONE. REPRESENTATIVE HART LOWMAN. OKAY REPRESENTATIVE DUNKLEY YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION. ADD TEN SECONDS BACK. I AM NOT SURE REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. DID WE ANSWER WHICH HOMEOWNERS MAY BENEFIT MOST FROM THIS HJR THAT IS PRESENTED HERE TODAY? THE EXEMPTION? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THIS APPLIES TO ALL HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES IN FLORIDA. REPRESENTATIVE DUNKLEY. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS MAY WIDEN DID THE INEQUALITY GAP'S THAT WE EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITIES FROM THIS HJR. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. NO. REPRESENTATIVE HART LOWMAN. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND I'VE I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY WHAT WILL WE DO ABOUT SMALL CONSTRAIN COUNTIES WHO LIVE OFF OF TAXES DID I UNDERSTAND YOU SAY WE THE STATE WILL NOT FILL ANY HOLES IF THERE IS A SHORTAGE WITHIN THESE COUNTIES? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I WISH I HAD THE POWER TO SAY THAT BUT IT WOULD BE THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON LAST QUESTION. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER YOU SAID YOU GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THE SENATE AND KNOWING HOW THIS CAN IMPACT THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA I DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE WISE FOR US TO PUT THIS ON THE TABLE HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS IN THE SENATE AND GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND START ALL OVER? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. WE HAVE PUT A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE AFTER A LONG AND THOUGHTFUL PROCESS OF COMING TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM AND HOW WE CAN BEST PROVIDE RELIEF TO FLORIDA TAXPAYERS. THIS IS THE ONE I BELIEVE IS THE BEST SOLUTION BUT WE ABSOLUTELY NEGOTIATE WITH THE SENATE TO NEGOTIATE WHEN IT HELD A US WHAT THEIR VISION IS. WE WILL DO MORE RECOGNITIONS. REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A RECOGNITION. FOR ANY MAN OR WOMAN WHO IS WORN A UNIFORM OR BADGED OR GONE TO WORK ON DUTIES KNOWS THAT IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON THE FRONT LINE YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE BACK HOME KEEPING THE HOME FIRES BURNING. IN THE EAST GALLERY, THE WIFE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TODAY JENNIFER ROMERO WAS HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HUSBAND. FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. [APPLAUSE]. REPRESENTATIVE ABBOTT YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE LEADERSHIP OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA HERE FOR NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAYS WELCOME TO THE HOUSE. [APPLAUSE]. REPRESENTATIVE BARNABY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. WE HAVE THE DELAND SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT FOR MY DISTRICT. PLEASE STAND. BULLDOGS. THEY HAVE A PASSION FOR GOVERNMENT AND ARE HERE TO SEE HOW THE PROCESS WORKS FIRST. WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA HOUSE. REPRESENTATIVE GRIFFITTS. TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE EAST GALLERY. SOME OF YOU KNOW THIS WOMAN. SHE HAS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING AIDS IN FLORIDA HOUSE. SHE SERVED FOR SPEAKER ALAN FENCE AND A SERVED FOR MEMBER PATRONIS WHO WAS THEN CFO NOW CONGRESSMAN. SHE SERVED FOR A MEMBER OF TRUMBULL WHO IS NOW THE LD AND SHE WORKED FOR ME AND MY SAUSAGE. PLEASE RISE IN THE EAST WELCOME PATTY BUTKUS. >> I WANT TO WELCOME TOM INGRAM THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF CEO TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR SCUBA DIVING FOR MARKETING ASSOCIATION. TODAY IS PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING TOM INGRAM OUR OCEANS AND THE SUNSHINE STATE. AMENDMENTS? >> ON THE DESK. READ THE FIRST. >> REPRESENTATIVE MILLER OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT WITH SCHEDULE AMENDMENT 357969 REMOVE LINES 29 THROUGH 154 AND INSERT AMENDMENT. PLEASE EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THIS AMENDMENT ELIMINATES NONSCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES IMMEDIATELY INSTEAD OF OVER TEN YEARS. QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE NIXON. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. WHY? WHY REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. AFTER LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS IT BECAME INCREDIBLY CLEAR THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THIS WITHOUT PUTTING UNDUE BURDENS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND I BELIEVE IT CAN BE DONE AND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME TO DELIVER THE RELIEF TO FLORIDA FAMILIES THAT THEY SO BADLY NEED. REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG. REPRESENTATIVE IS IT TRUE THAT THE AMENDMENT WILL DRAMATICALLY INCREASE DEMAND FOR STATE APPROPRIATIONS OF CITIES LOSING THEIR MAIN REVENUE SOURCE? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I CANNOT SPEAK TO WHAT THE DEMAND FOR APPROPRIATIONS WOULD BE. I THINK IT'S HIGH RIGHT NOW. REPRESENTATIVE TANT. WHAT WILL THE FISCAL IMPACT BE TO THE STATE BUDGET FOR THIS AMENDMENT? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. I'M SORRY DID YOU SAY THE STATE BUDGET? REPRESENTATIVE TANT. YES. WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT WHEN YOU ELIMINATE THE FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS WITH THIS BUDGET NOW WITH THIS YEAR WHAT WILL THE FISCAL IMPACT TO OUR STATE BUDGET BE? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. IT WOULD NOT IMPACT THE STATE BUDGET AND WE ARE NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING WITH SCHOOL REVENUE AT ALL. REPRESENTATIVE RAYNER. THANK YOU. IS SO REPRESENTATIVE MILLER YOU SAID THAT YOU UPON RESEARCH I GUESS WERE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THIS IMMEDIATELY. SO CAN YOU PROVIDE WHAT STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE HAS THERE BEEN A STUDY WHERE WE HAVE CONSULTED WITH ACTUARIES AND HAD HAD ACTUAL EVIDENCE BESIDE YOUR OWN OPINION DO YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION. AT THE END OF LAST YEAR THE SPEAKER PUT TOGETHER A PROPERTY TAX COMMITTEE SPECIAL SELECT COMMITTEE AND PROPERTY TAXES. YES, WE HAD A LOT OF LONG THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS AND WE HAD PEOPLE FROM EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT COME AND PRESENT TO US AND TEACH US EVERYTHING WE NEEDED TO LEARN THAT WOULD IMPACT PROPERTY TAXES AND OUT OF THAT CAME SEVERAL PROPOSALS. THIS WAS ONE OF THE PROPOSALS AND IT IS THE ONE THAT I THINK MAKES THE MOST SENSE. REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. THANK YOU. HOW WILL TAXPAYER AND VOTER APPROVED SPECIAL DISTRICTS THAT COVER FIRE SERVICES, CHILDREN'S SERVICES, COUNSEL, AND HOSPITALS BE FUNDED UNDER THIS? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. I WILL REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS JUST ONE TOOL IN A HUGE TOOL CHEST OF WAYS TO FUND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THERE ARE A COUPLE WAYS I WOULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. THE FIRST IS THAT EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS ON THEIR OWN TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY NEED TO DO IT. I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE IN MY DISTRICT. I'VE PUT TOGETHER A TEAM FROM THE BIG CITIES IN MY DISTRICT AND THE COUNTIES IN MY DISTRICT SO WE COULD HAVE ONGOING TO A CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF DECISIONS AS THEY WERE BEING MADE UP HERE. AS THE DISCUSSIONS GO ON THEY ARE LETTING ME KNOW IF THERE ARE STATUTORY LIMITATIONS TO THEIR ABILITY TO FUND CRITICAL SERVICES FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THOSE THINGS CAN BE ADDRESSED IN THE IMPLEMENTING LANGUAGE. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN. YOU HAVE A CARVEOUT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT JUST DOING THE NUMBERS THERE ARE OVER 100 CITIES THAT AFTER YOU DO THIS WILL NOT EVEN HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO MAINTAIN THE LOCAL LEVEL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHAT HAPPENS THOSE CITIES? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC STUDY YOU CAN POINT TO THAT SAYS THIS? REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN. I WILL HAVE MY STAFF E MAIL IT TO YOU. REPRESENTATIVE HART LOWMAN. I ALSO SAT ON THE COMMITTEE AND I DON'T REMEMBER A SINGLE CITY COMING THROUGH SAYING THAT THEY WANTED THEIR TAXES TO BE CUT AT ALL. WHEN YOU SAY WE HAD THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATIONS CAN YOU TAKE ME BACK TO A SINGLE CITY THAT SAID THIS WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEIR CITY OR COUNTY? REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I CAN GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE DOING IT RIGHT. PENSACOLA BEACH HAS NO AD VALOREM TAXES WHATSOEVER AND THEY HAVE EXISTED HAPPILY THAT WAY. I APPLAUDED THAT. MY CITY PALM BAY WHERE I LIVE THEY BEGAN THREE TO FOUR MONTHS AGO WHEN THE CONVERSATIONS BEGAN TO HAVE SOME INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS AND DO DEEP RATIONALIZATIONS ABOUT THE SCOPE OF OUR CITY GOVERNMENT AND WHAT SERVICES WE WANT TO PROVIDE AND IF WE ARE DOING IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE. AS A RESULT THEY HAVE PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE READY TO GO TO CUT THE SIZE OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND I APPLAUD THOSE EFFORTS. JUST GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED HAS ALREADY PUT THE BALL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. NO ONE WILL COME AND SAY I WANT LESS MONEY EVER BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVE LESS MONEY TO GIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SO WE HAVE TO FIND A PATH FORWARD FOR FLORIDA'S FAMILIES. TIME HAS EXPIRED. ARE THERE AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT? >> NONE THE DESK. SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT? >> NONE. DEBATE? REPRESENTATIVE NIXON. THANK YOU IS RIDICULOUS AND WILD TO ME. THE FACT THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO CUT $4.8 BILLION WORTH OF REVENUE FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME AND FRUSTRATING TO ME IS THE FACT THAT THE STATE IS CONTINUALLY CUTTING FUNDING OR NOT FULLY FUNDING RESOURCES THANK YOU. CAN I GET MY TIME BACK. CAN I RECLAIM MY TIME IS CONTINUALLY CUTTING FUNDING TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES NOW WE HAVE OF THE FEDS CUTTING SERVICES TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND NOW YOU ARE PUTTING A CAP ON HOW MUCH REVENUE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN RECEIVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SENIORS HAVE ACCESS TO MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAMS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE PUBLIC DRAINAGE AND THE SANITATION AND THEN ON TOP OF IT IT WILL LEAD TO A REGRESSIVE TAX. THE REGRESSIVE TAX BEING SALES TAX IS BECAUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO MAKE THE MONEY UP SOME WAY AND CURRENTLY WE ARE ALREADY PAYING 6 PERCENT AND SALES TAX AND SO NOW VOTERS I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW FLORIDIANS YOU ARE NOW POTENTIALLY CAN HAVE TO PAY 15 TO 20 PERCENT OF SALES TAXES SO THE FIVE BAGS OF GROCERIES YOU CURRENTLY GET FROM PUBLIX WILL GO DOWN TO THREE AND THEN WE HAVE A BILL THAT'S COMING UP THAT WILL CUT THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $7.25 AN HOUR SO I AM CONFUSED WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO EAT. ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS WHAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS DOING. I AM TIRED OF IT. YOU ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LIVE QUALITY LIVES HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND HE DON'T CARE ABOUT US. THIS IS WHAT REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS DOING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. SO IF YOU WANT YOUR GROCERIES TO NOW ONLY BE TWO BAGS WHEN YOU WALK AT A PUBLIC'S MAKE SURE YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS IN DEBATE. THANK YOU. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS SO HARD IN MY BRAIN. I AM LIKE SEARCHING AND SEARCHING. ONE OF THE COMMENTS WASN'T WELL WE WILL JUST HAVE TO LEARN TO DO MORE WITH LESS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS ROOM BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US HAS HAD A CONVERSATION WITH OUR FAMILIES AND SAID HEY HONEY, HEY HONEY, HONEY LISTEN TO ME, WE WILL HAVE TO DO MORE WITH LESS. I'M GONNA QUIT. I'M GOING TO QUIT MY JOB. I'M TO LOSE ONE OF MY REVENUE STREAMS. WE HAVE TO DO MORE WITH LESS LET ME QUIT MY JOB. LET ME BRING IN LESS MONEY. THIS MAKES NO LOGICAL ECONOMIC SENSE. THE FLORIDIANS ARE NOT DUMB AND THEY SEE THROUGH THIS. THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY UNDERSTAND PUTTING MONEY IN ONE POCKET AND TAKING TWICE AS MUCH OUT OF ANOTHER. THEY UNDERSTAND IT AND THEY COME TO ME AND TELL ME THAT. THEY SAY THIS IS A RUSE, A GUISE. A RUSE NOT TO TAKE CARE OF THE REAL ISSUES THAT WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS YOU'VE BEEN TALKING TO BUT THEY HAVE BEEN COMING TO ME ALL COMMITTEE WEEKS AND ALL COMMITTEE SESSION TALKING ABOUT IN SOME CASES THEY ARE ALREADY UNDER WATER. POLICE FORCE IS ALREADY TAKES UP THE BUDGET PLUS SOME. WE ARE DEFUNDING DEPOLICE AND DEFUNDING FIRE AND DEFUNDING GARBAGE AND DEFUNDING SCHOOLS AND DEFUNDING THE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DEFUNDING PEOPLE COMING AND CUTTING YOUR TREES DURING STORM SEASON. WE ARE DEFUNDING THE STATE OF YOU ALL, THEY KNOW. JUST SAID NO. REPRESENTATIVE GANTT. I WILL BE QUICK. IN THIS AMENDMENT IT'S IS BEGINNING JENNIE FIRST 2027 AND IN 2027 WE ACTUALLY START SESSION FROM MARCH TO MAY SO THEY WOULD NOT EVEN BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AND IMPLEMENTING BILL TO ACTUALLY BE CREATED VOTED ON AND PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR BEFORE THIS IS REQUIRED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THEREFORE, EVERYONE WILL BE IN LIMBO AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO THIS WITHOUT EVEN HAVING A PLAN TO DO IT. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE RAYNER. MUCH TO REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS' POINT THE WHOLE IDEA THAT WE WILL DO MORE WITH LESS AND FOLKS NOT GOING HOME I REMEMBER WHEN MY EX TOLD ME HE THINKS WE NEED TO DO MORE WITH LESS – HE QUIT HIS JOB HE BECAME MY EX. I JUST THINK THAT MAY BE WE ARE OUR ELECTED HERE IN THIS BODY AND SO I YOU ARE A FORMER MEMBER BUT NONETHELESS WHEN I ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT EMPIRICAL DATA THIS WAS MET WITH NONRESPONSIVE ANSWERS. I ASKED SPECIFICALLY WHAT DATA BESIDES THIS AND WHAT STUDIES AND WHAT THINGS HAPPEN TO SHOW THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY THE WAY FORWARD AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN MET WITH ANY ANSWERS. SO WHAT IT FEELS LIKE IS THIS IS AN AGENDA FROM A MAJORITY PARTY BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO DEFLECT FROM WHAT WE WILL ACTUALLY START DOING TOWARD THE REST OF SESSION. AT THE END OF THE DAY I DO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU FEEL THAT THIS MAY BE THE WAY FORWARD BUT IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE THE WAY THAT WE ARE DOING IT IF THERE IS NOT ANY EMPIRICAL DATA FOR STUDIES TO SHOW THIS IS ACT TO THE CORRECT WAY TO GO AND FLORIDA. SO I URGE YOU TO GO DOWN ON THIS. TIME HAS EXPIRED YOU MAY CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. THANK YOU. I WANT TO GIVE SOME QUICK EXAMPLES. BROWARD COUNTY HAS INCREASED THEIR BUDGET BY 71 THIS IS EVEN AFTER IT IS DONE THEY ARE STILL 10 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THEY WERE FIVE YEARS AGO. THIS IS ACROSS THE BOARD. DO ALL COUNTY 85 PERCENT UP IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. EVEN AFTER THIS BILL PASSES WITH THE AMENDMENT 32.5 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THEY WERE FIVE YEARS AGO. I AM CONFIDENT THIS WILL NOT BRING THE DETRIMENT THAT YOU GUYS HAVE EXPRESSED AND WITH THAT I CLOSE. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT? THOSE OPPOSED? SHOW THE AMENDMENT ADOPTED. READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT AS SCHEDULE BALLOT AND TITLE AMENDMENT BARCODE 535395 MOVE LINES 181 3190 AND INSERT AMENDMENT. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN YOU MAY EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. TAX RELIEF SHOULD DELIVER PERMANENT BENEFITS TO HOMEOWNERS WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THEIR CORE COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE AMENDMENT I HAVE FILED ENSURES LONG TERM PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING BY REQUIRING THE STATE TO BACKFILL ALL PUBLIC SAFETY COSTS. THE CURRENT PROPOSAL CREATES A FLOOR AND A CEILING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND IT PROHIBITS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REDUCING POLICE AND FIRE FUNDING BELOW CURRENT LEVELS BILL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT FUNDS WILL KEEP PACE WITH FUTURE NEEDS LIKE AS CITY GROW, STAFFING, EQUIPMENT, FIRE TRUCKS OF GOING UP A 140 PERCENT, PENSIONS, AND INFLATION. ALSO, UNDER YOUR CURRENT PROPOSAL AND THE LIST IS COMING TO YOU THIS IS 411 CITIES THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THIS MANDATE. WE ARE NOT ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE IN THIS CHAMBER. I CAN SPEAK FOR BOTH PARTIES AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS YOU ARE CREATING A FLOOR AND CEILING SO THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, AND CORRECTIONS WILL NEVER SEE A RAISE, NEVER GET NEW EQUIPMENT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO GO AROUND. YOU HAVE THE SAME DATA WE DO ABOUT HOW IT CUTS IN HIS APOLOGIES. IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALL THE PUBLIC SAFETY PEOPLE KNOW THIS. WE SHOULD PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AND FILL THE GAPS SO EVERY CITY, EVERY COUNTY HAS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY DESERVE AND THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? REPRESENTATIVE OVERDORF YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR QUESTION. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN COULD YOU TELL ME THE AMOUNTS AND HOW YOU GOT TO THE FORMULA FOR THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN. WHERE IS HE SO I CAN LOOK AT HIM. [LAUGHTER]. HELLO. YES WHAT YOU WILL DO IS GET THE SAME CURRENT FUNDING LEVELS THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW AND WHAT YOU WILL DO IS AS THE LEGISLATURE WHEN WE COME BACK TO SESSION WE WILL PRIORITIZE THAT NUMBER WHEN WE ADD IT ALL UP AND FILL IN THE GAPS. REPRESENTATIVE OVERDORF. ARE YOU IS A SET NUMBER NEVER INCREASING WHATSOEVER? DO YOU SUGGEST THIS INCREASE IS BASED ON WHATEVER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHOOSES TO DO? ARE YOU TAKING THIS MONEY WHEN YOU SAY GENERAL REVENUE ARE YOU JUST GOING TO TAKE IT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE LIKE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS AND TAKE THE FUNDING AWAY AND THEN GIVE IT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT? I AM CONFUSED ABOUT HOW YOU EXPECT ESPECIALLY IN A DOWNTURN OF OUR CURRENT ENVIRONMENT AND DOWNTURN FUNDING HOW YOU WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO FUND THIS AND THERE IS NO FORMULA HERE. ARE YOU PROPOSING A LIMITATION BILL? REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN. I GUESS YOU ALL ARE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH AN LIMITATION BILL BUT TO YOUR POINT, YOU ARE ACTUALLY CORRECT. IN TWO YEARS THIS STATE HAS DEFICIT BUDGET. YOU IN THIS PROPOSAL ARE DECIMATING AND FOR ALL OF YOU IN HERE WHO REPRESENT RURAL COUNTIES AND ROLE SITTINGS THEY ARE GONE. THIS AMENDMENT CUTS THE LEGS OUT FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. I PROMISED MY COMMUNITY THAT I WOULD NEVER DEFUND THE POLICE. SO WHEN YOU GIVE THEM THAT BASE FORMULA FROM THAT YEAR BECAUSE I HAVE ONE CITY THAT WILL ONLY HAVE LIKE 20 PERCENT OF THEIR BUDGET LEFT AFTER YOU DO THIS. AND THE SMALLER COUNTIES HAVE NOTHING SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO USE MORE OF THAT MONEY IF THEY WANT TO GIVE A RAISE TO HAVE COMPETITIVE SALARIES. THEY NEED A NEW FIRE TRUCK. WHAT WE ARE SAYING AS A STATE IS WE VALUE THE POLICE AND FIRE AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NEVER A WHOLE AND THEN IT WILL BE UP TO INDIVIDUAL CITIES TO WHEN THEY ARE COMPETING FOR OFFICERS WHEN THEY ARE COMPETING FOR A FIRE EQUIPMENT TO GET THEIR CAMERAS THAT WE MAKE SURE OF THIS BUT BASED ON YOUR QUESTION REPRESENTATIVE THE REASON WE ARE VOTING ON NO ON THIS IS THE SAME CONCERN AS YOU. YOU ARE ABOUT TO BANKRUPT CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE AND THIS LEGISLATURE NO MATTER WHAT THE IMPLEMENTING BILL LOOKS LIKE WILL NOT HAVE THE REVENUE TO FILL THE HOLE. REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN HOW WILL THIS IMPACT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES COMPARED TO HOW THE LEVEL OF SERVICE WOULD BE IMPACTED UNDER THE CURRENT JOINT RESOLUTION? REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN. THANK YOU. IT ELIMINATES THE FLOOR AND THEN MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES WILL HAVE A LARGER SUM. WHEN YOU TAKE OUT SOME OF THESE BUDGETS, 70 TO 60 PERCENT OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET IS LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO IF YOU ONLY HAVE IT'S ALL FROM THE LEAGUE OF CITIES AND COUNTIES AND I KNOW THEY GAVE IT TO YOU FOR EACH CITY BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE 116 THAT WILL BE DECIMATED BECAUSE THEY GIVE TO EVERYONE OF US. WHEN YOU TAKE OUT ALL THAT MONEY AND SAY THIS IS ALL YOU HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT GARBAGE STILL HAS TO GET PICKED UP. MAYBE IT'S ONE TIME A WEEK. YOU STILL MUST PAY FOR STREETS. THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER EXPENSES. SO BY CREATING A SAFETY NET THIS IS A SAFETY NET FOR PUBLIC SAFETY THEN WHEN EVERYONE IS COMPETING FOR OFFICERS AND THEY HAVE TO RAISE SALARIES AND EVERYONE IS COMPETING FOR FIREMEN AND BY THE WAY WHEN THE FIRE TRUCK THAT WENT UP 100 – THE COST OF A FIRE TRUCK WENT UP 140 PERCENT THEY COULD HAVE MORE DISCRETION TO USE A LITTLE BIT THAT YOU LEFT OVER FOR THEM. HERE IS OTHER THING THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THE GOVERNMENT NOT A PERSON LET INITIATIVES PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT WITHOUT THE IMPLEMENTING BILL. WITHOUT GIVING THE PUBLIC ALL OF WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW. I WILL VOTE ON THIS AND I WILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS DOES FOR MY PUBLIC SAFETY BECAUSE I NEED MY AMBULANCE IS TO BE AT MY HOUSE AND TWO MINUTES. I NEED POLICE THE MINUTE I CALL AND YOU LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE OUR PRIORITY AND IF IT REALLY IS THIS LEGISLATURE'S PRIORITY BACKFILL THE WHOLE. PROTECT THEM AND GIVE THE CITIES THE ABILITY TO INCREASE THEIR SERVICES WHEN THEY NEED. FURTHER QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? ARE THERE AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT >> NONE. SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENT? >> NONE. DEBATE? REPRESENTATIVE ESKAMANI IN DEBATE. IT'S EASY FOR US TO PASS A BIG DEAL LIKE THIS WHEN WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR IT AND WHAT REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN IS ABLE TO FIND HER AMENDMENT IS SHARED RESPONSIBILITY THE STATE OF FLORIDA ALREADY HAS NUMEROUS UNFUNDED MANDATES IN THE GOVERNMENT DESPITE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAP ON PUBLIC SAFETY I WOULD ALSO ARGUE THAT IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE. YOU ARE FREEZING BUDGETS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE DECREASING A HUGE CHUNK OF REVENUE. HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DO THAT? I UNDERSTAND THAT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE TO POTENTIALLY DISMANTLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND GIVE AUTHORITY TO A SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BUT SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS ARE ALSO FUNDED BY THEIR COUNTIES. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. THERE IS NO REALLOCATION OF REVENUE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. YOU'RE JUST TAKING AWAY MONEY WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT ESSENTIAL SPENDING STAYS THE SAME. AND I FIND IT IRONIC THAT WE TRUST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON THEIR POLICE BUDGETS BUT THE SAME COUNTY COMMISSION AND SAME CITY COUNCIL WE DON'T TRUST THEM ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET AND WE ALSO PAINT INFRASTRUCTURE IS NONESSENTIAL. I WOULD ARGUE THE OPPOSITE THAT THE EXPECTATION OF A CONSTITUENT IS THAT I HAVE GOOD ROADS TO DRIVE ON, SIDEWALKS TO WALK ON, AND MANY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ALSO HAVE INVESTMENTS IN CHILDREN SERVICES, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, WE PASSED A CAMPING BAN HERE PUTTING THAT PRESSURE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RESPOND AND NOW WE ARE TAKING AWAY RESOURCES FOR THEM TO RESPOND. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THE MATH DOES NOT MATH UP. AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE IRONY OF THE NOTION OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT JUST BEING DISMANTLED THERE IS NO MECHANISM TO DO THAT AND IT ALSO IS CLEARLY DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT IS DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND I THOUGHT THIS BODY WAS OPPOSITIONAL TO THAT. I APPRECIATE REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN FOR PUTTING SOME RESPONSIBILITY ON US THE LEGISLATURE AND I WON'T BE HERE NEXT YEAR BUT I WILL POTENTIALLY BE AT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP. REPRESENTATIVE ESKAMANI THE TOTAL TIME ON THIS AMENDMENT HAS EXPIRED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? SHOW THE AMENDMENT IS NOT ADOPTED. READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON SCHEDULE BALLOT BARCODE 91329 REMOVE LINES 181 3190 INSERT AMENDMENT. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES, THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO HELP OUR SITUATION. WE ARE TRYING TO ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES. SO THIS AMENDMENT JUST WANTS TO INTRODUCE A PROVISION THAT MANDATES THE STATE TO ESTABLISH A FUND TO REPLACE THE LOST PROPERTY TAX REVENUE FOR COUNTIES AND CITIES. KNOWING THAT COUNTIES AND CITIES ARE ALREADY STRAINED WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES WE ESTABLISH A FUND AT THE STATE LEVEL TO REPLACE THE LOST PROPERTY TAX ENSURING THAT THOSE ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY THAT WE ALL KNOW WE NEED AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PARKS AND RACKS AND ALL THOSE VITAL SERVICES WE MUST RECEIVE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE SAFE AND WELL SERVED. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT MR. SPEAKER. QUESTIONS OF THE SPONSOR? REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON, THANK YOU FOR THIS AMENDMENT. I HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN AND MULTIPLE PROPOSED BUDGETS THAT THERE ARE LARGE LINE ITEMS IN ORDER TO BACKFILL RURAL CITIES AND COUNTIES FOR ANY LOSS OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE. DOES YOUR AMENDMENT JUST ADDRESS RURAL CITIES AND COUNTIES OR DOES IT ADDRESS ALL CITIES AND COUNTIES. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON. THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT QUESTION. MY AMENDMENT ADDRESSES ALL COUNTIES AND CITIES AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA BECAUSE WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO EVERY SINGLE COUNTY AND CITY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS SAFE AND WELL SERVED AS WELL. QUESTIONS? REPRESENTATIVE OVERDORF. REPRESENTATIVE, CAN YOU TELL ME THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING HAVE YOU DONE OF FISCAL? AND WHERE'S IS IT COMING FROM? REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON. REPRESENTATIVE OVERDORF, THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. I DON'T THANK YOU HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE YOU PUT THIS BILL IN TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST WIDE? IF YOU DID IT I WOULD HAVE SEEN IT IN THE I AM ASKING FOR US TO LOOK AT HOW MUCH IT COSTS US TO COVER THE POLICE FIRE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ESTABLISH OF FUND IN ORDER FOR US TO DO IT. FURTHER QUESTIONS? REPRESENTATIVE OVERDORF. THANK YOU FOR THE STATEMENT. I'M ASKING A QUESTION SINCE THIS IS YOUR AMENDMENT AND YOU ARE PUTTING IT FORWARD IF YOU COULD TELL ME WHAT YOUR ESTIMATE IS THAT YOUR FUND WOULD TOTAL AND WHERE WE WILL GET MONEY FROM SINCE WE ARE PROPOSING A VERY CONSERVATIVE BUDGET THAT IS DECREASING YEAR OVER YEAR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THEREFORE AN INCREDIBLY CONSERVATIVE BUDGET IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THIS HAS BEEN ASKED AND ANSWERED. FURTHER QUESTION OF THE SPONSORS. AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? >> NONE. >> DEBATE ON THIS? REPRESENTATIVE HUNSCHOFSKY. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON THANK YOU FOR THIS AMENDMENT. IF WE WERE TO ELIMINATE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAXES IT WOULD ELIMINATE 53 PERCENT OF THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET. WHEN WE SAY WE DO LESS WITH MORE AND YOU CANNOT DECREASE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIRE SERVICE BUDGET I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WORKS WHEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE SERVICE BUDGET ARE 51 PERCENT OF THE OPERATING BUDGET. AND THOSE THINGS INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR OVER YEAR BECAUSE GUESS WHAT? THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A PENSION WHEN THEY RETIRE. THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE COST OF LIVING INCREASES. ALL SO THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE HEALTH BENEFITS DEALING WITH CANCERS AND OTHER THINGS AND I WOULD ALSO HOPE THEY HAVE ENOUGH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUNDING FOR THE TRAUMA THAT WHEN THEY PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. WHEN YOU SAY THIS IS THE LIMIT AND WE’RE NOT GIVING ANY MORE WOULD COST INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS IT IS AND IT IS DEFUNDING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I WILL ONCE AGAIN SAY THAT IN 2020 I DID NOT SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND HERE IN 2026 I WILL STILL NOT SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE WHICH IS WHAT THE MAIN HJR DOES AND YOUR AMENDMENT RESOLVES THAT ISSUE. REPRESENTATIVE ROBINSON F. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS AMENDMENT TO TRY TO MAKE A BAD PIECE OF LEGISLATION BETTER. THINGS I WANT US TO BE CLEAR ON AND TRANSPARENT ON IS WHAT YOUR AMENDMENT WOULD DO. WILL LOOK AT THE BUDGET NOW WE ARE PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS BECAUSE WE SEEM TO HAVE PLACED MONEY FOR CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, RURAL COMMUNITIES TO BACK STOP THEM BUT THEN WE WILL LEAVE EVERYONE ELSE OUT TO DRY. IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WE WERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT ALL RESIDENTS IN FLORIDA. I WAS TRYING TO WILL RATE FOR EVERYONE. RESPECT IS DUE TO ALL. SO I DO APPRECIATE YOU DOING THIS AMENDMENT. LIKE I STARTED SAYING BECAUSE MAYBE THEY DID NOT HEAR BUT IT APPEARS THAT WE ARE CHOOSING WINNERS AND LOSERS AND IF WE COULD MAKE A LINE ITEM TO SUPPORT CERTAIN COUNTIES WHEN THEY HAVE A LOSS OF THE PROPERTY TAXES WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT FOR ALL COUNTIES ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS WHOLE RESOLUTION IS A DESTRUCTION. THEY ARE USING IT FOR AND WE NEED TO BE REAL WITH PEOPLE AND NOT PLAY WITH THEIR LIVES BECAUSE WHAT THIS DOES IS ACTUALLY DEFUND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ARE WE TRYING TO RUN EVERYTHING FROM THE STATE? CREATE A WELFARE STATE RATHER THAN THE SUPPOSEDLY FREE STATE THAT WE HAVE? I AM NOT SURE BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I STOOD UP AND SAID IF THEY WERE WILLING TO REALLY DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS BAD PIECE OF LEGISLATION BETTER THEY WOULD SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER. I HEARD A NUMBER OF TIMES THAT SOMEHOW THERE IS A CEILING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS BILL. THE REASON THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALL PUBLIC SAFETY IS PROTECTED IN THE BILL IS BECAUSE IT IS A CORE FUNCTION WILL THE GOVERNMENT. I BELIEVE VOTERS ARE INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND IF THEY GO FORWARD AND VOTE ON THIS WE ARE NOT DOING THIS TO VOTERS. THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS DECISION FOR THEMSELVES. I BELIEVE THEY ARE INTELLIGENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COULD COME AT A COST AND WE MAY GO BACK TO THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND I WILL SAY THAT IF ANYONE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRIES TO REDUCE PUBLIC SAFETY I BELIEVE VOTERS WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT AS WELL. DEBATE TIME HAS EXPIRED. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT? THOSE OPPOSED? SHOW THE AMENDMENT NOT ADOPTED. STATE THE POINT. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO STATE THE POINT OF ORDER. I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT. YES MA'AM. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED OF THIS HJR BUT WAS TAKEN UP FOR CONSIDERATION WAS 12. PURSUANT TO THE SPECIAL ORDER LETTER WHEN THERE ARE MORE THAN NINE AMENDMENTS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE SPENT ON THE ENTIRETY OF THE AMENDMENT IS SEVEN AND A HALF MINUTES BECAUSE THERE IS 90 MINUTES TOTAL DIVIDED BY 12 IS SEVEN AND A HALF. THAT TIME EXPIRED. WE WILL PROCEED TO ME TO LEAD TO VOTING IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE. YOUR POINT OF ORDER IS NOT WELL TAKEN. REPRESENTATIVE GOTTLIEB. THANK YOU. MR. SPEAKER, THE AMENDMENTS TOTALING 12 AMENDMENTS OR 14 AMENDMENTS WERE WITHDRAWN BEFORE THE MATTER WAS TAKEN UP AND THEREFORE ACCORDING TO THE RULES IT SHOULD SUBVERT BACK TO A REGULAR TIME MANAGEMENT. REPRESENTATIVE GOTTLIEB THAT IS INCORRECT. THE AMENDMENTS WERE STILL PENDING AT THE TIME THE HJR WAS TAKEN UP FOR CONSIDERATION. THEY WERE WITHDRAWN AFTER THAT POINT IN TIME. READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. WERE BACK ON THE WOODSON AMENDMENT. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT? THOSE OPPOSED? THE AMENDMENT IS NOT ADOPTED. THE CLERK WILL UNLOCK THE MACHINE AND MEMBERS WILL PROCEED TO VOTE. HAVE ALL MEMBERS VOTED? THE CLERK WILL LOCK THE MACHINE AND ANNOUNCE THE VOTE. >> 31 YES, 76 NO. THE AMENDMENT IS NOT ADOPTED. READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON OFFER THE FOLLOWING STRUGGLE WITH TITLE AMENDMENT 831221 REMOVE EVERYTHING AFTER THE RESOLVING CLAUSE AND INSERT AMENDMENT. YOU MAY EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. THIS AMENDMENT AGAIN IS A COMMONSENSE AMENDMENT. BECAUSE WITH THIS AMENDMENT SEEKS TO DO IS IT SEEKS TO DO THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO STUDY THE PROPERTY TAX REFORM. IF WE HAVE THE TAX AND BUDGET REFORM COMMISSION THAT MET IN 2020 ASK THEM TO REVIEW THE PROCESS WITH THE ABILITY TO PLACE THIS INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT IN 2028. THIS WOULD GIVE US TIME TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE BETTER AND BRING IT TO THE VOTERS LIKE YOU MENTIONED THE VOTERS ARE SMART BUT WE STILL NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON IT. MR. SPEAKER, IS THE AMENDMENT. QUESTIONS? AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDMENT? >> NONE ON THE DESK. SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENT? >> NONE. DEBATE? REPRESENTATIVE NIXON. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON I REALLY TRULY APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING FOR THIS GREAT AMENDMENT THAT WILL CALL FOR A STUDY IN REGARD TO THE PROPERTY TAXES AND I THINK IT ALSO WILL ALLOW US TO STUDY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND SALES TAXES HAPPEN TO INCREASE AND I THINK THAT FLORIDIANS WILL REALIZE THAT AGAIN AS I STATED EARLIER THOSE FIVE BAGS OF GROCERIES THEY NOW CAN AFFORD WILLED DWINDLE DOWN TO TWO BAGS OF GROCERIES BECAUSE SALES TAXES WHICH ARE ONE OF THE MOST REGRESSIVE TAXES IN THE PLANET IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE TO GO UP SO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN ENSURE THAT FOLKS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND THINGS SO I REALLY TRULY APPRECIATE YOU FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS GREAT AMENDMENT AND I ASK EVERYONE TO VOTE UP ON IT. REPRESENTATIVE BARTLEMAN IN DEBATE. I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT. I KNOW WE KEEP HEARING THAT WE SHOULD BRING THIS TO THE VOTERS AND LET THEM DECIDE BUT IT IS NOT FAIR TO GIVE SOMETHING TO THE VOTERS WITHOUT GIVING THEM ALL THE DETAILS. WITHOUT THE IMPLEMENTING BILL NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE. I HAVE DEBATED THIS IN COMMITTEE AND IT COMMITTEE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY WILL HAVE TO RAISE THE FEES ARE THE TAXES AND I HAVE HEARD MAY BE WILL BE THE SALES TAX. I HEARD ON THE FLOOR TODAY IF THAT'S THE THAT IF THEY HAD FIVE OFFICERS AND THE COUNTIES AND THEN NEED TO LOOK AT IT AND CHANGE THE NUMBER. PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE VOTING ON. BY CONDUCTING A STUDY WE WILL KNOW WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT WE SPENT THE FIRST HALF OF THIS SESSION AND THIS DEBATE TALKING ABOUT WHY IT WAS BETTER TO HAVE A PHASE IN SO CITIES CAN ADJUST THEIR BUDGETS AND GET READY FOR THIS SO THEY KNOW WHAT IS AND THEN JUST AS I PREDICTED THE AMENDMENT CAME THAT CUTS EVERYONE'S LEGS OFF WHICH IT HAS. SO YOU CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. YOU CANNOT ARGUE THAT WE MUST PHASE IT IN A SO CITIES HAVE A BETTER POSITION AND CAN GET A HANDLE ON IT BUT NOW MOVE AND SAY REALLY THIS IS THE BETTER WAY. I SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. WE SHOULD GIVE IT THE VOTERS THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION. REPRESENTATIVE OVERDORF IN DEBATE. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON, I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS. THE SPEAKER PEREZ PUT US TOGETHER WITH A SELECT COMMITTEE ON PROPERTY TAX HERE AND WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING THIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS AFTER MEETINGS AND STUDY AFTER STUDY AFTER STUDY AND WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER STUDY TO ENACT THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FURTHER DEBATE? OKAY REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. MEMBERS, ADD EDUCATION IS POWER, EDUCATION IS KEY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE WORKING ON SOMETHING SO CRITICAL, SOMETHING THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REST OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I HEARD MY COLLEAGUE SAY WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER STUDY. I WILL TELL YOU WHY WE DO NEED ANOTHER STUDY. WE NEED ANOTHER STUDY BECAUSE PROPERTY TAXES COVER LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, INFRASTRUCTURE, PARKS AND RECREATION, THE VITAL SERVICES THAT OUR VETERANS, OUR SENIORS, AND EVERYONE NEEDS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE ASKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO COVER POLICE, FIRE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE, TO PRIORITIZE THOSE WHICH WE HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING THAT BECAUSE WE ALL NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ALL NEED FIRE. WE ALL NEED THOSE SERVICES. HOWEVER WE DO NOT HAVE PROVISION FOR THE STATE NOT TO CUT FIRE AND POLICE. WE DO NOT HAVE THIS IN THIS BILL. IF WE ARE ASKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO DO IT BUT WE ARE NOT PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE BOOK TO KEEP THE STATE FROM LOWERING AND CUTTING A LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEMBERS, THE STUDY IS NEEDED. WE NEED TO HAVE THE STUDY TO ANALYZE IT AND WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE VOTERS AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THEY ARE VERY SMART. IF WE GIVE THEM ALL THE FACTS AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR THEMSELVES AND SEE WHAT IS NEEDED. I WANT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ONE IF YOU VOTE ON THIS, REMEMBER WHAT'S GONNA COME OUT OF YOUR POCKET. YOUR POLICE FEE, YOUR FIRE FEE, OR INFRASTRUCTURE FEE, ALL OF THESE THINGS YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY ON THE BACKEND. MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU. THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT? THOSE OPPOSED? SHOW THE AMENDMENT NOT ADOPTED AND READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> NONE. BILL ROLLED OVER FOR A THIRD READING. REPRESENTATIVE MILLER YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION. I MOVED THIS TO BE READ FOR A THIRD READING AND THE RULES BE READ A THIRD TIME BY TITLE AND PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE. MOVE THE RULES BE WAIVED IN CS FOR CS FOR HJR 203 BE READ A THIRD TIME BY TITLE AND PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? SHOW THIS MOTION ADOPTED. ARE THERE ANY AMENDMENTS? >> NONE ON THE DESK. READ THE BILL A THIRD TIME BY TITLE. >> BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVE MILLER AND OTHER CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 203 A JOINT RESOLUTION FOR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS SECTION SIX OF ARTICLE SEVEN THE CREATION OF SECTION SEVEN OF ARTICLE EIGHT AND THE CREA