Legislature Holds Special Session to Address Hurricane Recovery, War in Israel

The Legislature convened Special Session in early November, in order to address a variety of issues prior to the 2024 Regular Session. The Governor called legislators back to Tallahassee to take immediate action in four district areas: (1) hurricane recovery, (2) educational scholarship programs, (3) international affairs and (4) security for non-profit organizations. He subsequently signed all four pieces of resultant legislation from the Special Session into law. Let’s review the action taken by the Legislature and Governor.

Hurricane Idalia Relief

The Legislature acted to provide relief to communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia with HB 1C Disaster Relief by Representative Jason Shoaf (R – Port St. Joe) and Senator Corey Simon (R – Tallahassee). The bill takes effect immediately and provides the following:

• $176.17M to the My Safe Florida Home Program to clear a backlog of applications statewide. The program provides grants to homeowners for home hardening investments reinforcing roof-to-wall connections, upgrading roof coverings and upgrading doors and windows.
• $75 million for a program that provides low-
  interest or interest-free loans to agriculture and aquaculture producers.
• $37.5 million to help timber owners.
• $50 million for hurricane repair and recovery projects in counties that received Federal Emergency Management disaster designations.
• $25 million to the Florida Housing Finance Corp. for what is known as the Hurricane Housing Recovery Program in the designated counties. Tax breaks will be offered on agricultural equipment that couldn’t be used in the two months after the storm, on the purchase of fencing and building materials purchased to make repairs after Idalia and on fuel used for agricultural shipments and debris removal.

Family Empowerment Scholarship Program Expanded

The second issue addressed by the Legislature in Special Session is a scholarship program for students with special needs called the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. Despite efforts to bolster funding for the program in recent years, a lengthy waiting list has persisted. Through HB 3C Family Empowerment Scholarship Program by Representative Josie Tomkow (R – Auburndale) and Senator Jay Collins (R – Tampa), the Legislature eliminated a cap on participation this school year. Additional program bandwidth is expected to be addressed during the 2024 Regular Session.

Supporting Israel, Targeting Iran

The Legislature acted to demonstrate support for Israel and to broaden state sanctions against Iranian interests. Through HB 5C Scrutinized Companies by Representative John Snyder (R – Palm City) and Senator Bryan Avila (R – Hialeah Gardens), policymakers revised and expanded the state’s list of scrutinized companies with close ties to Iran, adding the following sectors: construction, financial, manufacturing, metals, mining, petrochemical, port, shipbuilding, shipping and textiles. This action was taken in light of suspected ties and financing by Iran in ongoing attacks against the State of Israel.

Expanding Security Grants

In light of rising terror threats domestically, particularly against Jewish institutions and day schools, the Legislature acted to appropriate security funds to vulnerable targets around the state. The legislation, HB 7C Security Grants by Representative Randy Fine (R – Palm Bay) and Senator Alexis Calatayud (R – Miami) expands the use of non-profit hardening grants around the state and appropriates additional money for the current fiscal year. Expanded grant opportunities include an additional $20M to the Division of Emergency Management for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NPSG) and an additional $25M to the Department of Education for grants to full-time Jewish Day Schools and Jewish preschools for hardening and nonhardening security measures.

Resolutions in Support of Israel

Lastly, both chambers of the Legislature took the opportunity of Special Session to express the state’s solidarity with the State of Israel. Multiple resolutions were adopted, including:

SB 8C Support for the State of Israel by Senator Lori Berman (D – Boynton Beach)
HB 9C State of Israel by Representatives Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R – Boca Raton) and Katherine Waldron (D – Greenacres)
HB 11C Support for Israel and Condemning Hamas and Anti-Semitism by Representative Randy Fine (R – Palm Bay).

FRM

Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.