2019 Legislative Session, Week 2, March 17 

2019 Legislative Session, Week 1, March 10

2019 Legislative Session, Week 3, March 24

2019 Legislative Session, Week 4, March 31

2019 Legislative Session, Week 5, April 7

2019 Legislative Session, Week 6, April 14

2019 Legislative Session, Week 7, April 21

2019 Legislative Session, Week 8, April 28

2019 Legislative Session, Week 9, May 5

Legislative Vehicles

• Senate Bill 60 by Hukill - Reduces tax from 5.8 percent to 5.0 percent.
• House Bill 409 by Ahern and Senate Bill 902 by Perry - Creates the stairstep elimination of the tax, with the first step being first $10,000 of total rent exempt from BRT in 2019, and moving up $10,000 each year, until capping at $90,000 in 2027.
• Annual Tax Package - Leadership has already indicated they will try to find some additional relief to BRT.

About Business Rent Tax

• Florida is the only state with a business rent tax
• Overall, this tax costs businesses $1.7 Billion a year
• A 1% reduction in the tax would result in $286.9 Million saved annuallyby Florida businesses
• Estimated Revenue Back to the State: The repeal of the tax outrightcould create up to 185,000 jobs and $20 billion in economic impact.(Source: Fishkind & Associates report, “Economic Impact of Sales Tax Exemption forCommercial Leases in the State of Florida”, September 15, 2013)
• Reducing This Tax Will Spur Florida’s Economy: $286.9 million inrevenue will infused back into the economy for job creation and expansion

Legislative Vehicles

• Senate Bill 650 by Baxley - Would allow for a land owner to petition the value adjustment board up to 60 days after the deadline, if there are extenuating circumstances.
• House Bill 7001 - Proposes an amendment to state Constitution that would prohibit a state tax or fee from being imposed or raised except through a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature.

For your Consideration

• Property Tax Value Adjustment Boards: support private property owner’s rights to contest unfair governmental practices
• Discourage Unnecessary Taxes and Fees: promote competitive markets by limiting regulatory distortions

Legislative Vehicles

• House Bill 207 by McClain and Senate Bill 362 by Perry - Adds private property rights protections to comprehensive plans.
• House Bill 1151 by La Rosa and Senate Bill 1244 by Lee - Would significantly revise DRIs
• House Bill 7009 (passed the House on 1/12/18) - Would reinstate the cap on attorneys’ fees for workers compensation claims up to $150 an hour. There is no Senate vehicle yet.
• Senate Bill 324 by Young and House Bill 697 by Miller - Would require that the earliest a local government can collect impact fees is at the issuance of C.O.
• House Bill 725 by Williamson and Senate Bill 1144 by Perry - Will require governing body of local government to post its permit and inspection fee schedules and link to annual utilization report (how the fees are being used within the department) on its website.
• House Bill 299 by McClain - Would revise the membership by eliminating several board seats, including the seat representing the commercial building owners and managers industry. Based on conversations at board meeting, NAIOP opposes any change that would eliminate representation from the commercial real estate industry.

For Your Consideration

• Growth Management: preserve the positive changes that are helping drive Florida’s growth
• Reform DRI process to allow for market driven growth
• Worker’s Compensation Reform: support reform that will reduce rates
• Contain impact fees and prevent deflating a growing market
• Create transparency in fees charged for permits and inspections
• Hold building departments accountable for reviewing and processing permits and inspections
• Preserve building commissions standards as is

Legislative Vehicles

• House Bill 17 by Raburn (passed the House on 1/12/18) and Senate Bill 432 by Lee - Curb the authority of CRAs and eliminate same by 2038. Based on conversations at the annual meeting, NAIOP supports reasonable regulations on CRAs to encourage transparency and responsible spending, but opposes broad elimination of CRAs. These entities have driven successful redevelopment in many parts of the state.

For Your Consideration

• Preserve CRAs as catalysts for commercial development in communities
• Support the renewal of the job growth grant fund ($85 Million for Infrastructure)
• Continue to promote Florida’s business and travel brands
• Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida: continue to fund promotional campaigns

Legislative Vehicle

• Senate Bill 1620 - Would create the Florida Water Infrastructure Needs Solutions Task Force. This would study Florida’s water needs and submit a report to the Governor , Speaker and President by December 1, 2019.

For Your Consideration

• Common Sense Approach to Protecting and Preserving Environment and Water Quality Without Stifling or Prohibiting Development