FFDA Legislative Update

April 4, 2007

On Thursday, March 29th, FFDA members and staff visited the capitol in Tallahassee for the Annual FFDA Legislative Day. The event was kicked off with a reception and dinner at the Governors Club the night before. The following day about 20 members and staff attended the committee hearing for the industry legislation, HB 1177 (companion is SB 2856). During the reading of the bill by its sponsor Representative Weatherford, FFDA was recognized and thanked for our support. The bill passed with flying colors at the committee meeting. 
The group had lunch and spoke with Representative Weatherford and thanked him for sponsoring the bill.  Representative Baxley who many of you know within the funeral industry was also present and spoke to FFDA. Representative Baxley will help FFDA in any way he can to assist with passing of the bill. FFDA thanks Representative Baxley for his support and looks forward to supporting him in the future!
The groups agenda also included meetings with Senate President Ken Pruitt, Senators Jim King and Dennis Jones, plus Representative Chestnut, who is a funeral director himself. It was very important that FFDA met with Senator Jones as he the Chair of the Regulated Industries Committee which the bill will pass through.  After discussing it with Senator Jones, the bill was moved up and will be heard this Monday, April 9th at 1:15pm in room 110 at the Regulated Industries Committee hearing as it was originally scheduled for the 17th. The earlier a bill can be heard the better chance it has to pass. If you are able to attend the committee hearing on Monday please email leighann@executiveoffice.org for more details. 
Summary:

• Prohibit ownership or operation of a Chapter 497 licensee by a hospital or other related healthcare facility such as nursing facility, assisted living facility or hospice. 
• Defining the term "critical need" for purposes of allowing retired funeral professionals to serve.
• Providing that limited licensees may work during a time of "critical need" and shall work for a licensed entity.
• Requiring person licensed as a funeral director or embalmer to complete an approved HIV and AIDS course every third biennial licensure renewal.
• Providing that a funeral professional may accept the deceased's declaration of intent to be cremated and provides liability protection for that acceptance.  

 

The Florida Legislature concluded their business early Friday afternoon at 4:12 pm. Bills flew back and forth between the chambers the last few days.  

The Budget for 2007/2008 session passed their respective chambers on Thursday. The $71.9 billion budget included $24.3 million for education, a 6 % increase from the previous year. 

Highlighted Legislation:

Early Primary – HB 537 was approved by the Florida Legislature which moves Florida’s Primary to January 29th.  

Hurricane Fortification – HB 7057 creates a loan program to help people fortify homes against hurricanes. It also creates two situations where residents would have to make their house more storm-resistant.  Some customers of state-backed Citizens Property Insurance would have to get shutters if their house is insured for more than $750,000. The second situation requires those, regardless of who insures them, would have to get shutters if their home is worth $750,000 and they make a repair that costs more than $50,000 and requires a permit.

SPECIAL SESSION ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM
JUNE 12 – 22, 2007
The Florida Legislature will reconvene for Special Session to hammer out the property tax reform packages.

More detailed information will follow on bills passed during the 2007/2008 Legislative Session