Enhanced lobbying restrictions and breaks for motorists who frequently use toll roads are among state laws and other changes that will arrive with the new year.
The laws, passed during the regular legislative session and special sessions this year, also include making funds available for land preservation, allowing local governments to publish legal notices online rather than in newspapers and ending a long-standing controversial practice in the property insurance system.
Most bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this year took effect on July, 1st or on his signature. But here are some changes that will go into effect on Sunday:
Lobbying: New laws (HB 7001 and HB 7003) will implement a constitutional amendment voters overwhelmingly passed in 2018 to shorten the time some officials will have to wait to start lobbying from two to six years after leaving government posts. The restrictions will apply to lawmakers, heads of state agencies, judges and many local officials.
Toll Credits: In a special session in December, lawmakers approved a measure (SB 6-A) that will provide 50% credits to motorists who log 35 or more toll road trips in a month. The program will run for a year, with lawmakers agreeing to spend $500 million to help toll agencies cover lost revenue.
Disaster Assistance: Response to the 2021 Collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfing side, lawmakers approved the provision of property tax rebates when residential properties are rendered uninhabitable for 30 days. During the December special session, lawmakers passed a measure (SB 4-A) to provide similar discounts to homeowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Homeowners will be able to approach county real estate appraisers between January 1 and April 1.
Land preservation: Part of the state budget will free up $300 million within the agriculture department and Consumer Services for the acquisition of land.
Public Notices: Lawmakers approved a measure (HB 7049) that will allow local governments to post legal notices on county websites instead of in newspapers. Local governments in counties with populations under 160,000 must first hold public hearings to determine whether residents have sufficient Internet access.
Property insurance: In the December special session, lawmakers approved an end to a controversial practice known as assignment of benefits for property insurance. The practice involves owners assigning claims to contractors, who then seek payments from insurers. The prohibition against assignment of benefits (SB 2-A) will apply to policies issued on or after January 1st.
Workers’ compensation rates: An 8.4% average drop in workers’ compensation rates will take effect in January, marking the sixth consecutive year that average rates have declined.
Courts of Appeal : florida the courts of appeal will be reorganized January 1st under a law (HB 7027) which created a Court of Appeal of the 6th district and reviewed the skills of Court of Appeal of the 1st districtthe Court of Appeal of the 2nd arrondissement and the Court of Appeal of the 5th arrondissement.
Miya’s Law: Lawmakers passed a measure (SB 898) that will require apartment owners to conduct background checks on all employees. The bill, dubbed ‘Miya’s Law’, came after the death of a 19-year-old Miya Marcanoa Valencia College student who disappeared from her Orlando apartment in September and was found dead a week later. The suspected killer, who later committed suicide, worked as a maintenance worker at the Marcano apartment complex.
Selection of textbooks: As part of a larger education bill (HB 1467), the legislature required that a training program be available from January 1st for school librarians, media specialists and others involved in the selection of school library materials. The program aims, in part, to provide access to “age-appropriate library materials and resources.”
Newborn screening: A measure (SB 292) will require hospitals and other state-licensed birthing centers to test newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus if infants fail hearing tests. The virus can cause hearing loss in infants.
(C) 2022 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
