Emergency Management* SB 2006, by Senator Burgess, PASSED. The companion bill was HB 7047, by Representative Leek. The legislation is Chapter No. 2021-008, effective July 1, 2021. AARP supported the amended version. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legislature passed a wide-ranging bill to address Florida’s vulnerability to public health emergencies and emergencies of an extended nature. The legislation addresses many topics such as emergency powers of the Governor, local governmental authority during a declared emergency, financing and spending to mitigate state and local impacts, and prohibitions against vaccination documentation. AARP focused on the personal protective equipment (PPE) issue in SB 1760 and HB 1353. This legislation requires the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to acquire and maintain a supply of PPE for use by state agencies and, when needed, to assist local governments and the private sector. DEM is required to maintain PPE supplies, replace expired PPE and provide an annual inventory report to state leaders. *SB 1760 by Senator Albritton and HB 1353 by Representative Yarborough was amended onto SB 2006. See Voting Record for SB 2006 p. 93 & HB 1353 p. 93 & SB 1760 p. 93. Purple Alert SB 184, by Senator Berman, PASSED. The companion bill was HB 79, by Representative Casello. The legislation is Chapter No.2021-93, effective date of July 1, 2022. AARP supported this legislation. The legislation establishes Purple Alerts to assist in locating missing adults with developmental disabilities, brain injuries or other disabilities unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or substance abuse. This alert is intended for individuals who do not fall under the Silver Alert for missing elders or under the Amber Alert for missing children. See Voting Record for SB 184 p. 95 & HB 79 p. 97. Homestead Exemption for Seniors 65 and Older HB 597, by Representative Woodson, PASSED. The companion bill was SB 1256, by Senator Polsky. The legislation is Chapter No. 2021-208, effective July 1, 2021. AARP supported this legislation. The legislation changes the process used by seniors to verify income for purposes of receiving income-based homestead property tax exemptions. The legislation removes the requirement to submit annually a sworn statement but requires the person to notify the property appraiser by May 1 upon a change in income that may result in disqualification. See Voting Record for HB 597 p. 97 & SB 1256 p. 100. Autonomous Vehicles HB 1289, by Representative McFarland, PASSED. The companion bill was SB 1620, by Senator Brandes. The legislation is Chapter No. 2021-233, effective July 1, 2021. AARP supported this legislation. Florida Statutes currently permit the operation of fully autonomous vehicles on Florida roads regardless of whether human operators are in the vehicle. This legislation authorizes a low-speed autonomous delivery vehicle to operate on a street or road with a posted speed limit of not more than 45 miles per hour, under certain conditions. See Voting Record for HB 1289 p. 100 & SB 1620 p. 102. Traffic and Pedestrian Safety SB 1412, by Senator Perry, FAILED. The companion bill was HB 1113, by Representative Fine. AARP monitored this legislation. Flashing yellow lights, known as “rectangular rapid flashing beacons” are located in areas with high pedestrian traffic. The beacons are typically in mid-block locations and activate when a pedestrian pushes a button at the crosswalk. The legislation would have required federal government approval to change flashing yellow beacons in pedestrian crosswalks to red. If federal approval were to be withheld, the legislation would have required all yellow beacons to be disabled.
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