Dear Friends,
This will be the third column reporting on the 2022 Legislative Session and the good work done on behalf of the citizens of the free state of Florida!
This past month, Governor DeSantis signed off on $109.9 billion budget that includes a record $1.24 billion in tax relief for Floridians. Providing ongoing tax relief to Floridians, especially in the midst of extraordinary inflation brought on by the federal government’s irresponsible policies, remains a top priority of the Florida Legislature. This tax package includes: A Gas Tax Holiday: October 1-31, 2022, reducing the cost of fuel by $0.25 per gallon, a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 25 – August 7, 2022, on clothing, footwear, backpacks, school supplies, computers and electronics, and software. Additionally, it includes: Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: May 28 – June 10, 2022, on flashlights, lanterns, radios, tarps, coolers, batteries, smoke detectors, and generators. The tax bill also included some long-term tax relief on items like: Impact Resistant Windows, Doors and Garage Doors, Children’s Clothing and Shoes, Children’s Diapers, Energy Efficient Appliances, and Farm Trailers and Fencing.
A bill that we have yet to highlight is SB 254, and we are extremely proud to have passed this legislation. One of the cornerstones of our great nation and state is religious freedom and the right to openly attend religious services. The COVID-19 Pandemic highlighted many threats and challenges to our basic freedoms as Americans, including the ability to freely exercise our religion. SB 254 Provides that an emergency order may not directly or indirectly prohibit a religious institution from conducting regular religious services or activities. Affords that a general order that applies to all other entities in the jurisdiction may be applied to religious institutions, as long as it is furthering a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of doing so.
SB 988, “No Patient Left Alone Act”, carried by Senator Garcia passed through the Florida Legislature and was signed into law on April 8, 2022. The No Patient Left Alone Act ensures Floridians are provided the opportunity to care for and visit with their loved ones by requiring intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled, developmental disability centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice facilities, and hospitals to allow visitation to the greatest extent possible while maintaining the overall health and safety of the facility. Specifies that if a violation is confirmed, providers are subject to the existing penalties and licensing investigations administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
The Florida Senate continues to recognize the great sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces make for our country, and has worked to further expand opportunities and pathways for veterans and their families. To help serve those who protect and serve us, the Florida Legislature charged the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to create a veteran suicide prevention training and certification program for claims examiners and county and city veterans service officers in Florida. Additionally, the legislature jointly passed a memorial urging the United States Congress to recognize the epidemic of suicides among our veterans and to fully fund the suicide prevention efforts of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.
Thank you for your continued engagement in your state government. We look forward to providing you more information next month. Thank you for letting me serve you in the Florida Senate.
Onward & Upward,
Senator Dennis Baxley
