Where Washington D.C. has failed Floridians by continuing to kick the can down the road, the legislature is taking proactive steps to help ease the unconscionable flood insurance rate hikes facing families.
During the Wednesday morning session, the Senate unanimously passed this innovative piece of legislation that paves the way for private-market flood insurance in Florida. Senate Bill 542, sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), frees homeowners from the dictates, irregularity and uncertainty of Washington bureaucrats by allowing policyholders to customize affordable policies by choosing their coverage levels and adjusting deductibles on their properties.
I'm proud that the Florida Senate has passed this bill on behalf of consumers, and I look forward to its passage in the Florida House of Representatives.
Appropriations Bill Including Vital Funding for Caloosahatchee Projects Passes Committee
On Thursday the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee passed its recommended budget which will now move to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. In the Senate budget there are long term and short term solutions to help protect Southwest Florida's water resources, including $15 Million for C-43 reservoir project which will help store water released from Lake Okeechobee.
This week's funding approval is another step in the right direction toward reducing the harmful discharges that have damaged our estuaries and an important stride toward protecting the Caloosahatchee River. As we move forward in session, I will continue to fight to prioritize funding for the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary
Senate Bill 162: Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act
This Session our Republican Senators are dedicated to increasing protections for unborn children and their families. Under current Florida law, certain offenses against pregnant women are considered separately from offenses against an unborn child, such as death of the child through DUI, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide. Senate Bill 162, which passed through the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday and is sponsored by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), expands safeguards for unborn children at any stage of gestational development and increases the number of offenses against an unborn child that can be prosecuted.
Working to Improve Ethics and Open Government Laws
While Florida's Sunshine Laws are a model for providing access to information from government, updating and clarifying the existing public records laws remain a top priority of our Republican Caucus this session. On Wednesday, Senate Bill 1648, which ensures our state continues to lead the nation in open records and open government, passed the Senate with bipartisan support. This bill strengthens existing statutes regarding public records to guarantee that citizens can access public information and that governments correctly respond to their requests.
Senators also demonstrated their commitment to providing accountable government by unanimously passing Senate Bill 846, sponsored by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater). Expanding on historic 2013 Ethics Reforms, this bill promotes transparency, accountability and ethical behavior among officials in local governments, special taxing districts, and quasi-governmental organizations that deliver government services or collect and spend taxpayer dollars. Our Republican Caucus is committed to assuring Floridians that public officials throughout the state are working in an ethical m
During the Wednesday morning session, the Senate unanimously passed this innovative piece of legislation that paves the way for private-market flood insurance in Florida. Senate Bill 542, sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), frees homeowners from the dictates, irregularity and uncertainty of Washington bureaucrats by allowing policyholders to customize affordable policies by choosing their coverage levels and adjusting deductibles on their properties.
I'm proud that the Florida Senate has passed this bill on behalf of consumers, and I look forward to its passage in the Florida House of Representatives.
Appropriations Bill Including Vital Funding for Caloosahatchee Projects Passes Committee
On Thursday the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee passed its recommended budget which will now move to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. In the Senate budget there are long term and short term solutions to help protect Southwest Florida's water resources, including $15 Million for C-43 reservoir project which will help store water released from Lake Okeechobee.
This week's funding approval is another step in the right direction toward reducing the harmful discharges that have damaged our estuaries and an important stride toward protecting the Caloosahatchee River. As we move forward in session, I will continue to fight to prioritize funding for the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary
Senate Bill 162: Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act
This Session our Republican Senators are dedicated to increasing protections for unborn children and their families. Under current Florida law, certain offenses against pregnant women are considered separately from offenses against an unborn child, such as death of the child through DUI, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide. Senate Bill 162, which passed through the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday and is sponsored by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), expands safeguards for unborn children at any stage of gestational development and increases the number of offenses against an unborn child that can be prosecuted.
Working to Improve Ethics and Open Government Laws
While Florida's Sunshine Laws are a model for providing access to information from government, updating and clarifying the existing public records laws remain a top priority of our Republican Caucus this session. On Wednesday, Senate Bill 1648, which ensures our state continues to lead the nation in open records and open government, passed the Senate with bipartisan support. This bill strengthens existing statutes regarding public records to guarantee that citizens can access public information and that governments correctly respond to their requests.
Senators also demonstrated their commitment to providing accountable government by unanimously passing Senate Bill 846, sponsored by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater). Expanding on historic 2013 Ethics Reforms, this bill promotes transparency, accountability and ethical behavior among officials in local governments, special taxing districts, and quasi-governmental organizations that deliver government services or collect and spend taxpayer dollars. Our Republican Caucus is committed to assuring Floridians that public officials throughout the state are working in an ethical m