Session Ends Quietly
The end of this session was certainly not as dysfunctional as last year when the House went home three days early and without a budget. This year, the Speaker of the House and Senate President brought an $82.3 billion budget in for a landing, coolly on time, and with only one dissenting vote between them – in the House. However, the final day of session this year was not without its last minute drama as a couple of bills bounced back and forth between the two chambers. When the hankie dropped signaling the end of the session, Governor Rick Scott was on hand to congratulate Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner on a successful session even though much of his own legislative priorities were casualties of the 2016 Legislative Session.
By the Numbers
With the Legislature sending bills to Governor Scott at a relatively brisk pace, he has spent much of his time since sine die churning through proposals that needed his final approval to become law. We saw a small uptick this year in the number of bills filed and passed by the Legislature. The 2016 Legislative Session saw 1,580 General Bills filed. Of that, 245 passed.
The governor has received all the bills and has taken final action on most. Thus far, he has only vetoed one bill, a local bill dealing with Gainesville Regional Utilities.
Local Governments Prohibited from Collecting Fees
As a State Certified Contractor, have you ever had to pay a local jurisdiction an additional fee for them to track your state license or show proof of workers’ comp? They refer to them as a recording, tracking, registration, administrative, etc., fee ranging from $50 - $100. Local governments are no longer allowed to charge these additional fees. Tucked away in the Building Code Bill (HB 535) is a provision which prohibits local governments from requiring payment of any additional fees, charges or expenses associated with providing proof of licensure as a contractor, recording a contractor license or providing, recording or filing evidence of worker’s compensation insurance coverage by a contractor.
Governor Scott Quickly Signs the Budget
Governor Scott wasted little time in signing the state spending plan shortly after legislative leaders sent it to him. In a highly unusual move,
A Closer Look at the 2016 Legislative Session
By: R. Bruce Kershner -NUCA of Florida Director of Government Affairs