2021 Legislative Report #13 April 23, 2021

2021 Legislative Report

April 23, 2021

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THIS WEEK IN REVIEW:

The finish line is in sight for the 2021 Florida Legislative Session. Next Friday will conclude the 60-day sprint for policy and budget changes in Florida. Committees are no longer meeting and the budget will be finalized soon.

A Special Session will be called starting May 17th for a gaming bill. Governor DeSantis has agreed to a new gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that will create a $2.5 billion revenue-sharing guarantee for the first five years and $6 billion through 2030. Some items in the new compact include: a 30-year agreement; craps and roulette tables; enhanced revenue sharing; more facilities for the Tribe in its Hollywood location; and online sports betting through pari-mutuels statewide. Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls have agreed to the May 17th date for working on legislation to implement the new agreement.

The Florida Legislature has agreed to set aside $100 million from the Federal American Rescue Plan for permanently fixing the Piney Point site in Manatee County. After a breach in one of the reservoirs caused an evacuation of residents earlier this month, Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the area and wanted options for a permanent solution. The final proposal for fixing the site is still under discussion, but will move forward now that money has been allocated to fixing the problem.

Senate Bill 7072 by Senator Ray Rodrigues would force social media companies to post terms of service and reasons for “de-platforming” users of their services, and apply them equally. With issues raised after people have complained they have been blocked or had their use of social media cancelled by companies without any explanation, this bill is designed to have published terms that would stop some of the ambiguity in how and why people are kicked off of social media. After being asked to name any examples of people that have been removed, the sponsor used the example of former Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp who was removed from Facebook and was not told what rules he violated.

The final week of Session will begin Monday, April 26, 2021 and the 2021 Legislative Session will end on April 30, 2021.