By Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days Newsletter
February 24, 2022
An update to condominium regulations (SB 1702) introduced in the wake of the Surfside condominium disaster advanced through its third and final Senate committee Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, the bill would require a two-part inspection at condo buildings’ 30-year mark and once every 10 years afterward. Originally, the bill addressed inspections solely, but Wednesday more administrative regulations were added. The bill now requires condo boards to conduct studies of how sound the condo’s repair funds are and add those reports to the condominium’s official records. Condo boards can waive the once-every-three-years study, but the bill requires “conspicuous disclosure” of that decision to forego a study of the condo’s reserve. The bill now heads to the full Senate. Similar legislation (HB 7069) is on third reading in the House. Here’s your nightly rundown.
Hold the Mayo. The House budget (HB 5001) requires DMS to issue a competitive bid for office space to move 272 employees out of the Nathan Mayo Building.
Shift change. Legislation (HB 1239) to “modernize” nursing home staffing requirements by allowing nonnursing staff to fulfill a portion of direct care hours cleared its final House panel.
Foster care overhaul. The Senate passed a bill (SB 7034) that would increase protections for foster children, raise benefits for foster families and expand the college tuition waiver for students exiting foster care.
Pearly whites. The Legislative dogfight over Medicaid dental care appears to be resolved after a House panel the chamber’s Medicaid managed care bill (HB 7047).
The doctor is in. The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo after bitter partisan debate.
RIP. The House Commerce may have held its last meeting this Session, leaving a lot of bills in limbo, including a rural broadband expansion package (HB 1543/HB 1545).
High-stakes swap. Legislation (HB 1193) to replace standardized testing with a “progress monitoring program” passed its final committee in the House.
CRO. A bill (HB 7053) that would formalize the Statewide Office of Resilience and create the official position of Chief Resilience Officer under the Governor is on its way to the House floor.
Share with the class. The ranking Democrat on the House Redistricting Committee wants the results of racial polarization study ahead of the panel’s final meeting.
Step-down. The House added a step-down process to a bill (HB 741) that would eventually end “net metering” in Florida.
Dollars and sense. Legislation (HB 1115) requiring high school students to take a financial literacy and management class passed its final House committee.
[Redacted]. A bill (HB 1511) that aims to protect the personal information of people involved in car accidents cleared its final House panel.
‘Belts and suspenders.’ Legislation (SB 1352) to clarify the ban on political contributions from foreign nationals is ready for the Senate floor.
Privacy isn’t free. Data privacy legislation (HB 9/SB 1864) under consideration in the Legislature could deliver a $21 billion hit to Florida’s economy, according to Florida TaxWatch.
Re: HB 1239 – allowing non-nursing staff to take over nursing duties is not “modernizing.” It is headed backwards and is a short-term solution to an age-old problem of not supporting our trained nurses. The Florida Republican Party’s refusal to implement common-sense health guidelines during the two-year pandemic has created burn-out and safety issues that is forcing many nurses out of their jobs. Allowing non-trained staff to take over these duties puts our most vulnerable citizens at major risk.