Florida legislative update 2.24.2016
- SB 332, aka Vulnerable Road Users bill, was heard before the Senate Fiscal Policy committee; it passed unopposed with no changes to penalties. Florida Bicycle Association staff attended the meeting in support of the bill for public record. FBA will monitor the bill to support the Senate version and not the House version as the final version should it go before the Governor to sign into law.
- SB 7062, aka Specialty License Plates, was heard before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. A Proposed Committee Substitution was introduced by Sen Brandes which in essence combined SB 7062 and SB 1390 into one bill. In the process of combining the two bills, amendment 702386 was completely dropped and a few other amendments were changed or dropped. Florida Bicycle Association staff attended this meeting in support for the proposed committee substitution for public record.
This substitution was passed 7 to 1 (the opposition was for minimum requirement of sales and not related to Share the Road proceed distribution). In a nutshell, it’s as if amendment 702386 on the Senate side never happened.
This bill is scheduled to be heard by two more Senate committees: Appropriations and Rules. We will continue to monitor the bill progress but feel the Share the Road proceed allocation is no longer a topic of conversation. FBA will monitor the bill to support the Senate version and not the House version as the final version should it go before the Governor to sign into law.
The Florida Bicycle Association wishes to thank everyone for contacting their legislators and Senate committee members. Please take a moment to send a thank you to your legislators and Senate committee members:
Senate Fiscal Policy Committee:
Chair: Senator Flores – Miami – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s37
Vice Chair: Senator Bradley – Orange Park – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s7
Senator Abruzzo – Wellington – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s25
Senator Bean – Jacksonville – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s4
Senator Clemens – Lake Worth –https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s27
Senator Hays – Umatilla – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s11
Senator Hukill – Port Orange – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s8
Senator Legg – Lutz – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s17
Senator Margolis – Miami – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s35
Senator Sachs – Delray Beach –https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s34
Senator Stargel – Lakeland – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s15
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development:
Chair: Senator Latvala – Clearwater – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s20
Senator Brandes – St. Petersburg – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s22
Vice Chair: Senator Clemens – Lake Worth – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s27
Senator Gibson – Jacksonville – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s9
Senator Detert – Venice – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s28
Senator Diaz de la Portilla – Miami – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s40
Senator Sachs – Delray Beach – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s34
Senator Thompson – Orlando – https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s12
The links provided will take you to the senator’s web site and there are places on these websites where you can contact / email the senator. It may take a little time, but the effort will help build a positive relationship with legislators.
Please take an additional moment to send a thank you to Senate President Senator Gardiner for his support to have SB 7062 amendment 702386 dropped.
Senator Gardiner – https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s13
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, thank you for your support of Florida Bicycle Association. FBA will continue forward as the only membership driven state organization for bicycling education and advocacy.
