(The Center Square) – Florida lawmakers will return to the capitol on Tuesday for their annual legislative session, with plenty of issues on tap including immigration, property insurance, condominium reforms and crime.
Lawmakers have already been at the capitol for a trio of special sessions in recent months about the state’s response to President Donald Trump’s plans to immigration policy and finally passed a package that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law.
Here are some of the bills already been filed in advance of the session scheduled to end on May 2.
Immigration
Senate Bill 782 would require all companies to use E-Verify system to verify a new employee’s employment eligibility and set penalties, including suspension of licenses and imposition of fines, for those who hire people illegally in the country.
The bill, if it became law, would also revise duties and responsibilities of the Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency within the Department of Commerce Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, and two Republican cosponsors. House Bill 1033 is the identical companion bill in the House and HB955 is similar.
There are also a pair of bills that would ban foreign remittances by people illegally in the country, SB1668 and HB1279
Political advertisements
SB860 is known as the “Broadcast Freedom Protection Act” and it would prohibit state and local officials from using their position to intimidate broadcasters from airing political advertisements, such as threatening to withhold grant funding.
The bill is aimed at DeSantis, who was accused of using his position to threaten broadcasters over ads related to a pair of constitutional amendments on medical marijuana and abortion rights.
Firearms-related issues
HB6003 would allow local jurisdictions to impose regulations on firearms and ammunition.
HB55 would provide a public records exemption for purchase records from citizens who can legally buy firearms or ammunition.
Health care
SB932 is known as the “Health Care Freedom Act” and would allow the state to expend funds on sex reassignment surgeries and allow women to travel to other states for abortions.
HB23 would require the state Board of Psychology to certify psychologists to exercise prescriptive authority if specified criteria are met.
Insurance
HB13 is one of several bills that would require the state’s insurer of last resort, the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to make windstorm coverage available to homeowners for any residential structures, even those insured under commercial lines.
Education
HB17 would alter the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship’s eligibility process to better allow underrepresented high performing students to gain access.
HB151 and SB248 would allow private school athletes whose school isn’t a member of the Florida High School Athletics Association to participate in a sport at a FHSAA member school.
Condominiums
HB393 would create the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to help harden condominium buildings against storm damage and reduce insurance costs.
HB675 would create a grant program for low-income seniors living in condo complexes to help pay for costly assessments to repair damage by the homeowner’s association.
SB690 and HB1415 would require a structural integrity reserve study for every condo building that is six stories or taller.
