Florida's Latest News

Military spouses support bill sails through House committee

The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced a bill Thursday that would expedite temporary work licenses to military spouses who hold an out-of-state certification.

The committee advanced the bill (HB 559) unanimously, leaving the measure with one remaining panel stop. Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky of Parkland is the bill sponsor.

“Their fees are waived and the licenses will be issued as soon as their specific application information has been verified,” Hunschofsky explained.

The proposal comes as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Navy veteran, pioneer a bipartisan effort to distinguish Florida as the most military friendly state in the nation.

Gov. DeSantis signs emergency rainy day fund into law

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the first bills of the 2022 Legislative Session on Thursday — two proposals creating a $500 million rainy day fund in the Governor’s name.

Under the bills (SB 96 and SB 98), lawmakers are empowering the Governor with what they dub the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund.

The fund will provide DeSantis — and subsequent governors — with a designated pot of money to use during a state of emergency.

Zephyrhills Republican Rep. Danny Burgess is the bill sponsor. Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy of Fort Pierce carried the companion bill.

“This bill gives the Governor the flexibility to respond quickly to all emergencies,” Trabulsy said. “It gives us time to respond to the emergency while protecting our power to appropriate and protect our reserve.”

Senate approves construction defect law changes to combat frivolous claims

The Senate has voted to consolidate the period homeowners could sue over construction defects, an effort to cut down on frivolous claims against builders.

Currently, homeowners have four years to file a claim over a clear “patent” defect and 10 years for claims involving a hidden “latent” defect. The Senate’s proposal (SB 736), passed 26-13 Thursday over the opposition of most Democrats, would give homeowners seven years to file claims over all defects, except when fraud is involved.

The seven-year period emerged last week after bill sponsor and St. Augustine Republican Sen. Travis Hutson negotiated the new limits. Before senators amended the bill on the Senate floor later that week, it offered five years to file construction defects claims over single-family residences and retained an existing 10-year repose period for defects involving all other improvements.

Under the revised Senate bill, the 10-year period is saved for cases when a homeowner alleges builders fraudulently concealed the reported defect.

Florida roads to get specialty license plate that celebrates going off-road

The newest specialty license plate headed for Florida’s vehicles may be more popular off of its highways than on.

The “Explore Off-Road” Florida tag that raised money for the Florida Off-Road Foundation achieved the 3,000 preorders necessary for it to be put into production.

One of the group’s founders is event organizer Mark Wayne Hess, who helped create the Florida Jeep Jam in Panama City Beach. The plate’s popularity has been driven by Jeep owners among others.

The nonprofit’s stated goals are to protect and preserve Florida’s off-road culture and natural heritage; to educate Floridians about responsible use of the off-road environment; to support search and rescue volunteer programs to promote use of off-road vehicles to assist law enforcement; and to restore Florida’s off-road trails and natural habitat through organized cleanups, restorations and expansion.