Florida Legislature Takes Steps to Keep Florida’s Momentum Going
The Florida Chamber is uniting business for good around the Florida 2030 blueprint – Florida’s next strategic plan. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature took steps during the 2020 Legislative Session to keep Florida’s momentum going. Lawmakers passed 12 Florida Chamber-backed bills that lower the cost of living, reduce the cost of doing business, prepare for future growth, and protect Florida’s Constitution.
The Florida Chamber was also instrumental in defeating 23 bills bad for business, including bills that would insert government between employers and employees with all sorts of new employer mandates and create new lines of lawsuits – making Florida’s poor legal climate even worse. This year, the 60-day legislative session was extended by one-week, in part due to the economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus which caused a delay in finalizing the $93.2 billion state budget. Lawmakers filed 3,578 bills, and passed 210.
Chief among Florida Chamber-backed legislation that passed this session are bills that:
- Strengthened Florida’s school choice options to serve even more students,
- Increased access to healthcare by expanding scope of practice for advanced registered nurse practitioners,
- Invested in Florida’s economic development and tourism marketing programs,
- Protected the environment with long-term water quality investments,
- Ensured Florida remains the Sunshine State, not the ‘melanoma state,’ by preempting scientifically dubious local bans on proven sunscreens,
- Protected Florida’s Constitution from special interests buying their way onto Florida’s ballot, and
- Invested in Florida’s rural communities with cost-effective economic development efforts.
Meanwhile, not all lawmakers were trying to make Florida more competitive. Some in the legislature tried to create a patchwork of regulations increasing costs on businesses, families and consumers. Additionally, there were a host of attempted mandates on job creators, including misguided wage and employment condition mandates.
What Grade Did Your Legislator Earn?
The Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card is an annual opportunity to recognize members of the Florida Legislature who placed making Florida more competitive through private-sector job creation, above special interests and their attempts to protect the status quo.
How Was Your Business Impacted?
The Florida Chamber’s 2020 Jobs Agenda was supported by hundreds of local chamber members traveling to Tallahassee to meet with their lawmakers, and 144 separate Florida Chamber testimonials before House and Senate committees – all backed by a lobbying and public affairs team of 30 strong.
2020 Legislative Session: Just the Facts
Looking for easy to download images? The Florida Chamber has created infographics with quick and easy facts from the 2020 Legislative Session, including how many bills were filed, how many passed and more.
Legislative Report Card Archive
View the Florida Chamber’s Legislative Report Card for past Legislative Sessions through the Legislative Report Card Archive.
Who Earned the 2019 Most Valuable Legislator Award?
The business community’s premier legislative award, the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Most Valuable Legislator, goes to the legislator committed to making Florida more competitive.
Did Your Legislator Earn a 2019 Distinguished Advocate Award?
The Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate award recognizes lawmakers who fought tirelessly for the passage of pro-business legislation – no matter how difficult.