Broadband Internet Infrastructure* HB 1239, by Representative Tomkow, PASSED. The companion bill was SB 1592, by Senator Burgess. The legislation is Chapter No. 2021-24, effective July 1, 2021. AARP supported the amended version. The legislation will expand broadband Internet access to rural and underserved areas in Florida. It requires the Office of Broadband to develop short-term and long-term goals and strategies for increasing avail- ability of and access to broadband Internet service and to identify available federal funding for broadband expansion or improvement. The legislation allows for-profit and nonprofit businesses, local governments and others to apply for grants to install and deploy broadband infrastructure. The final legislation includes language from SB 2004 and SB 1560. * SB 2004 by Senator Burgess, SB 1560 by Senator Ausley and HB 753 by Representative Clemons were amended onto HB 1239. See Voting Record for HB 1239 p. 79 & SB 2004 p. 81 & HB 753 p. 82. Taxation SB 50, by Senator Gruters, PASSED. The companion bill was HB 15, by Representative Clemons. The legislation is Chapter No. 2021-2, effective July 1, 2021. AARP supported this legislation. The legisla- tion requires online sellers to collect sales tax and remit it to the state. It will apply to online retailers whose sales exceed $100,000 in the prior year. This will provide an estimated $1 billion of annual revenue that will be used to replenish the unemployment compensation trust fund until the fund returns to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. Thereafter the funds will go toward reducing Florida’s business rent tax rate from the cur- rent 5.5% to 2%. See Voting Record for SB 50 p. 83 & HB 15 p. 82. Taxation (Sales Tax Exemption)* HB 7061, by House Ways & Means Committee, PASSED. The companion bill was SB 7068, by Senate Finance and Tax. The legislation is Chapter No. 2021-31, effective July 1, 2021. AARP supported the amended version. The legislation exempts from sales and use tax certain products that assist persons with independent living. The exemption is limited to bed transfer handles, bed rails, grab bars and shower seats. The exemption applies to purchases made for personal or noncommercial use. *SB 224, by Senator Berman was amended onto HB 7061. See Voting Record for HB 7061 p. 85 & SB 224 p. 85. Improvements to Real Property / Resiliency Energy Environment Florida HB 387, by Representative Fine, FAILED. The companion bill was SB 1208, by Senator Rodriguez (A). AARP opposed this legislation. The legislation would have substantially amended the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE), which allows property owners to make qualifying improvements to real property and to finance the cost through annual non-ad valorem tax assessments. Qualifying improvements are those that enhance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and wind resistance. The legislation failed to provide adequate safeguards for consumers entering into PACE contracts. See Voting Record for HB 387 p. 87 & SB 1208 p. 87. Tax Exemption for Diapers and Incontinence Products SB 806, by Senator Book, FAILED. AARP supported the legsialtion. The legislation would have created a state sales tax exemption for diapers, incontinence undergarments, incontinence pads, and other incon- tinence products. See Voting Record for SB 806 p. 88.
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