“Senators, if you’ll indulge me, I’m going to take a break from introductions and do a bill or two.”
– Senate President Bill Galvano on the Senate Floor
– Senate President Bill Galvano and Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley talk after a meeting.
Things are moving fast in the 2020 Legislative Session, with both chambers having already released their preliminary budget proposals. The House is proposing a $91.3 billion budget with the Senate’s proposal coming in at $92.8. I’ll break the numbers down in terms of our priorities below but keep in mind these are just the starting positions of each chamber. Numbers will shift in the coming weeks as the House and Senate get closer to a budget deal.
GARD is Next Week!
Great American Realtor Days (GARD) kicks off this coming Monday, Feb. 3 and ends on Feb. 5. If you haven’t registered yet you can do so onsite when you get here. For those who haven’t been, not only is it a great time, but the power of your voice is absolutely critical in our efforts to advocate on your behalf. You can learn more about this event and complete your registration on the GARD website.
Budget Update
Affordable Housing
The Senate and House Appropriation Subcommittees have released their proposed budgets for FY 2020-2021. For affordable housing, the proposed Senate budget has full funding of the housing trust funds and matches the Governor’s proposed budget of $387 million. The House’s initial proposal calls for $147 million to be spent on housing programs. Although this number is lower than the Senate, their proposal is up from their initial proposal from last year by $24 million. As budget negotiations continue, we will be advocating for the House to increase its funding proposal for the affordable housing trusts funds, especially as it relates to SHIP allocations which help fund down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
Below is a chart with a further breakdown of the proposed budgets:
Governor | Senate | House | |
SAIL | $119,800,000 | $119,800,000 | $48,800,000 |
SHIP | $267,200,000 | $267,200,000 | $73,200,000 |
Hurricane Housing Recovery Program | $0 | $0 | $25,000,000 |
Total Housing | $387,000,000 | $387,000,000 | $147,000,000 |
Environment
In terms of environmental funding, the House and Senate budget proposals both exceed the $625 million budget recommendation made by Gov. DeSantis. The Senate proposal would provide $125 million for Florida Forever during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which exceeds the governor’s recommendation for the program by $25 million. The House proposes spending $20 million on the program. Additionally, the Senate is proposing $639 million for water-related projects, of which $322 million would be for ongoing Everglades restoration efforts. The House would spend $646.8 million, with $318.3 million dedicated to the Everglades.
Private Property Rights/Vacation Rentals
- SB 1128 – Preempts the regulation of vacation rentals to the state and strikes a balance between addressing community concerns and preserving private property rights.
- Current status: Waiting to be placed on the Commerce and Tourism Committee agenda.
- HB 1011 – Companion bill to SB 1128.
- Current status: Passed Workforce Development & Tourism Subcommittee on a 10 – 5 vote. Currently in Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee waiting to be placed on the agenda.
Affordable Housing
- SB 998 – Allows local governments to approve affordable housing development on any property zoned residential, commercial or industrial. Also, provides additional accountability and training for Affordable Housing Advisory Committees and Local Housing Assistance Plans.
- Current status: Waiting to be placed on the Infrastructure and Security Committee agenda.
- HB 1339 – Companion bill to SB 998
- Current status: On the Local, Federal, & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee agenda for 2/3/20 at 3:00 p.m.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
- HB 209 – Helps curb the abuse of ESA certificates related to housing. The bill does not address restaurants, airplanes, or other public places.
- Current status: Waiting to be placed on the agenda of its last committee stop, the Judiciary Committee. The bill was temporary postponed this week with HUD issuing new emotional animal support guidance. Committee staff must review the new rules to make sure the bill is in compliance.
- SB 1084 – Companion bill to HB 209.
- Current status: On the Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee agenda for 2/3/20 at 1:30 p.m.
Environment
- SB 712 – Main environmental bill of the 2020 session. Contains the findings from the Blue-Green Algae Task Force and has a heavy focus on Onsite Treatment and Disposal Systems (septic tanks).
- Current status: In its last committee stop, the Appropriations Committee, waiting to be placed on the agenda.
- HB 1343 – Companion bill to SB 712.
- Current status: In its second-to-last committee stop, the Appropriations Committee, waiting to be placed on the agenda.
Stay updated on all of the bills that the Public Policy Office is tracking through our Legislative Tracker.