Dear Friends,
As we near the start of a new year, we are also less than one month away from the start of the 2024 Legislative Session. Due to pressing matters, the Florida Legislature decided to start early, holding a special session during the second week of November. We passed four bills, as well as a Senate Resolution expressing our support for Israel and its right to defend itself.
The first bill that we passed during the 2023C Special Session is House Bill 1C: Disaster Relief, by Senator Cory Simon. As demonstrated after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, the Florida Senate is committed to helping Floridians rebuild from devastating storms in every manner possible. In response to Hurricane Idalia, the Florida Senate passed HB 1C, providing necessary funding and tax relief to the communities who need it most. The Florida Senate is meeting the challenge to support our rural and agricultural communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Idalia. This bill provides critical support to communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia, directs an additional $170 million to the My Safe Florida Home Program, and extends local government loan programs.
The second bill we passed is House Bill 3C: Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, by Senator Jay Collins. Since HB 1 passed in the 2023 Regular Session, Florida has seen record numbers of families benefit from enhanced school choice opportunities now offered to every Floridian. HB 3C expands opportunities to Students with Unique Abilities, ensuring that all Florida students have access to a full array of school choice opportunities that meet their unique needs. This bill expands access to the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities and enhances the number of students served by school choice opportunities provided in HB 1, passed last session.
The third bill we passed is House Bill 5C: Scrutinized Companies, by Senator Bryan Avila. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and played a critical role in the horrific terror attacks on Israel by Hamas. This legislation takes a strong stance against the Iranian regime and makes it clear that Florida in no way will support corrupt, tyrannical, and terroristic countries who diametrically oppose American national security and seek to wage proxy war through radical terrorist groups. This bill adds certain companies in business with Iran to the list of scrutinized companies and requires Florida to cease investment with these companies.
The fourth bill we passed is House Bill 7C: Security Grants, by Senator Alexis Calatayud. Through this legislation, the Florida Senate makes it clear that anti-Semitic violence has no place in Florida and we are committed to protecting Jewish Floridians from threats of violence. As the threat of anti-Semitism grows following the horrors of Hamas’ attack on Israel, the Florida Legislature is providing critical funding to keep our Jewish community safe. This bill enhances security at Jewish Day Schools and Houses of Worship and provides additional funding to hire security personnel and harden facilities.
We also passed Senate Resolution 8C: Support the State of Israel, by Senator Lori Berman. Florida stands firmly with the people of Israel and our own Jewish communities across the state. This resolution makes it unquestionably clear that Israel has every right to defend itself from the threats facing their people and country, and Florida will stand arm-in-arm with them as they seek victory and peace. This Senate Resolution condemns the unprovoked and barbaric terror attacks on Israel by Hamas and demands the immediate end to any financial support of Hamas or Iran.
These bills and senate resolution are just the beginning and we are looking forward to a promising and successful 2024 Legislative Session for the people of Florida. Thank you to the constituents of Senate District 13 for letting me serve you and work on these unique challenges with you.
Onward & Upward,
Senator Dennis Baxley
