Good Afternoon,

Bills for Special Session C are now available on the Senate website. I am very pleased with the collaborative work product represented in this legislation. SB 2-C reflects a comprehensive effort to address hurricane relief and support for Florida’s agriculture industry in the wake of Hurricane Idalia. I am grateful to Senator Simon and Commissioner Simpson for their tireless work to draft this legislation. Senator Simon has been on the forefront of this effort since Hurricane Idalia devastated portions of his district in August. Commissioner Simpson has invaluable experience and perspective regarding what it will take for our agriculture and aquaculture businesses to make a full recovery. From targeted relief programs that benefit homeowners and businesses, to investment in no-interest loan and cost sharing programs to help our agriculture and timber industries, to bridge programs that help local governments continue operations and fund recovery projects, we have a robust relief package that will impact families, businesses, and entire communities across Florida’s Big Bend in a meaningful way. I would also like to thank CFO Patronis for his work to administer the My Safe Florida Home program. SB 2-C funds applications as of October 15. I look forward to further conversations about this important program during the regular session as we continue to evaluate ways to strengthen our infrastructure against storm damage, while stabilizing and lowering insurance costs. We worked closely with Speaker Renner on SB 4-C, which Senator Collins is sponsoring, to address demand for the unique abilities portion of the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Families will now have until December 15, 2023, to apply for scholarships in the current school year. Since the day he took office, Governor DeSantis has been steadfast in supporting Israel and making certain our state has the toughest possible sanctions against Iran and other regimes that support terrorism. His continuous leadership makes it clear that Florida will not tolerate anti-Semitism or hatred of any kind. Senator Avila, as Chair of the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability, is sponsoring this strong legislation. Senator Berman is sponsoring our Senate Resolution expressing support for the State of Israel and condemning the attacks and hateful actions by the Hamas terrorist group, and Senator Calatayud is sponsoring SB 6-C, which builds on legislation she sponsored during the 2023 Regular Session, to assist nonprofits at risk for hate crimes with enhanced security. SB 6-C, appropriates $35 million for security efforts that will support Jewish temples, day schools, and other nonprofit entities at risk for hate crimes. Senate Bills 2-C, 4-C and 6-C will be heard in the Committee on Fiscal Policy at 11:30 a.m. on Monday. Senate Bills 8-C and 10-C will be heard in the Committee on Rules at 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Links to the bills and staff analysis for each bill are below.

SB 2-C – Disaster Relief by Senator Simon https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/2C/BillText/Filed/PDF Staff Analysis: https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/2C/Analyses/2023s00002C.pre.fp.PDF SB 4-C – Family Empowerment Scholarship Program by Senator Collins https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/4C/BillText/Filed/PDF Staff Analysis: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/4C/Analyses/2023s00004C.pre.fp.PDF SB 6-C – Security Grants by Senator Calatayud https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/6C/BillText/Filed/PDF Staff Analysis: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/6C/Analyses/2023s00006C.pre.fp.PDF SB 8-C – Support for the State of Israel by Senator Berman https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/8C/BillText/Filed/PDF Staff Analysis: https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/8C/Analyses/2023s00008C.pre.rc.PDF SB 10-C – Scrutinized Companies by Senator Avila https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/10C/BillText/Filed/PDF Staff Analysis: https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023C/10C/Analyses/2023s00010C.pre.rc.PDF