Other Legislation to Watch
HB 891 (Rep. Ponder)/SB 620 (Sen. Broxson): Military Friendly Initiatives
- One of the provisions in the legislation as introduced (HB 891/SB 620) would cap a service member's security deposit and advanced rent to the aggregate amount he/she would otherwise pay in 60 days rent. Based on FAA's research, this legislation would be the first of its kind in the United States.
- In the event an applicant has poor credit, he or she may be asked to pay a full month's security deposit depending on the property or company's policies. This amount when combined with the advanced rent payment and/or prorated rent due upon move-in could be in violation of 60 day cap, which would put both the property and the service member with poor credit at risk.
- In light of these concerns, FAA had discussions with the bill sponsors regarding the unintended negative effects of this proposal as introduced.
- On March 26, a committee substitute, HB 891 C1, was adopted and passed by the Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.
- FAA is pleased to report, the substitute that was adopted by the committee removed the provision capping the security deposit and advanced rent. The revised version of HB 891 now advances to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
- The Senate companion bill (SB 620) was referred to the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs and Space; Innovation, Industry, and Technology; and Rules committees.
- FAA was able to secure an amendment for SB 620 to clarify the cap should be based on two months rent (rather than 60 days) and added language that excludes prorated rent from the cap established in this legislation. SB 620 now advances to the Innovation, Industry, and Technology Committee for further consideration.
HB 565 (Rep. Williams)/SB 958 (Sen. Rouson): Housing Discrimination
- If enacted, HB 565/SB 958 would amend Florida statute to allow individuals who believe they are victims of housing discrimination to proceed straight to legal remedies, without going through the free administrative complaint process.
- You may recall similar legislation was introduced last session. Once again, FAA strongly opposes this legislation because it will increase costs for apartment communities with frivolous and unvetted lawsuits.
- On April 1, HB 565 passed the Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and is now before the Judiciary Committee, which is the bill's final stop before reaching the House floor, for further consideration.
- SB 958 was scheduled for its first hearing on April 8 in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- In light of these recent developments, FAA is continuing to have conversations with legislators in the House and Senate to prevent this legislation from advancing during the remainder of the 2019 session.
HB 3 (Rep. Grant): Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing Requirements
- If enacted, HB 3 would prohibit local governments from requiring a license for a person whose job scope does not substantially correspond to that of a contractor or journeyman licensed by the state. The bill also specifically prevents local governments from requiring a license for the following jobs: painting, flooring, cabinetry, interior remodeling, driveway or tennis court installation, and decorative stone, tile, marble, granite, or terrazzo installation, plastering, stuccoing, caulking, canvas awning installation, and ornamental iron installation.
- The apartment industry supports this legislation as it would protect apartment communities and supplier members from over regulation by local governments.
- HB 3 passed its committee assignments with favorable recommendations and is now on Second Reading on the House floor. However, the Senate companion bill, SB 1784(Sen. Perry), has not had a hearing at this time.
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