LTC 54-2002
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. ~ 1-. 2~()~
to
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez ~ ,~
City Manager U ,yvrf)
Florida Legislative Session Update
Date: March 4, 2002
SUbject:
Attached, please find Weekly Legislative Reports provided by the City's representatives
in Tallahassee for the third, fourth and fifth weeks of the Legislative Session.
In addition to the City's legislative priorities that are being pursued, several pieces of
legislation have emerged that if passed, will provide the City with additional direct funds.
These include:
~ Transportation Funding - During the-past three years, the City has unsuccessfully applied to State grant
programs for funding. This year, the City prioritized the revision of the criteria for these programs, which
the Legislature has undertaken. Additionally, the Legislature is unhappy with the projects that were
recommended for this year's funding, and have rewritten the project list. Representative Lacasa has
included the City's 16th Street request for $100,000 in this list.
~ Business Recruitment and Retention - Legislation was proposed that will retum to the municipality 50%
of the sales tax generated by certified convention centers. As originally written, only Orlando, Tampa,
Coconut Grove and Lakeland would have been eligible for this program. Representative Heyman and
Senator Constantine supported an amendment to this bill that now makes Miami Beach, Broward and
Jacksonville eligible. The funds that are returned to the municipality are to be used for the attraction,
recruitment and retention of high-tech, manufacturing, research & development, and tourism industries.
Depending on how the final definitions are determined, this legislation could represent between $250,000
and $800,000 of recurring revenue to the City.
~ Law Enforcement Communications - Currently, there is a surcharge on traffic citations that is used to fund
the radio communications systems of counties. Legislation has been proposed that will remit the
surcharge amount to the municipality in which it is collected if the municipality operates a communication
system that is independent of the County. This legislation has been reported favorable by all committees
of reference in the House, and will be heard by its final Senate committee on March 4. If passed, this
legislation could represent up to $400,000 of recurring revenue to the City.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions,
JMG\cNfc\KC
c: Murray Dubbin, City Attorney
Christfna M. Cuervo, Assistant City Manager
Patricia Walker, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Crowder, Economic Development and Legislative Affairs
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RUTLEDGE, ECENIA, PURNELL & HOFFMAN
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
STEPHEN A. ECENIA
KENNETH A. HOFFMAN
THOMAS W. KONRAO
MICHAEL G. MAIDA
MARTIN P. McDONNELL
J. STEPHEN MENTON
POST OFFICE BOX 551, 32302-0551
215 SOUTH MONROE STREET, SUITE 420
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32301-1841
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GARY R. RUTLEDGE'
TELEPHONE (850) 681-6788
TELECOPIER (850) 681-6515
GOVERNMENTAL CONsULTANtS
MARGARET A. MENDUNI
M. LA"E STEPtiE"S
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor David Dermer
City Commissioners and City Manager Gonzalez
City of Miami Beach
Via: Facsimile to Kevin Crowder (hard copy to follow)
From: Gary Rutledge
Fausto Gomez
Bob Levy
Manny Reyes
Margie Menduni
Date: Februluy 8, 2002,
RE: 'Weddy Legislative Report
School Fire Sllfetv
The team has worked diligently with DOE and DOl to move this issue successfully through two
committees, HB 443 by Rep. Barreiro requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt uniform fire safety
standards for schools, that each school be inspected annually by local fire officials, and allows the local fire
officials to take action to require the School board to promptly correct life-threatening deficiencies or close
the facility until deficiencies are corrected. Was voted favorably from the Committee on General
Education Appropriations and has one more committee of reference.
Livin!!: Wa!!:e Lee:islation ,
HB 859 by Rep. Bense prolubits local governments from requiring employers to pay a wage in excess of
the federal minimmn wage, except for their own employees and contracted employees, Was reported
favorably from the Committee on Fiscal Policy and has one more committee of reference. The Senate
companion, SB 1902 by Senator Peaden will be heard in the Comprehensive Planning Committee on
February 12. We will continue to work on this issue to assure that the City's exemption remains in the bill.
This is a major issue for the Florida Restaurant Association, the Florida Hotel Association, and the Florida
Chamber of Commerce,
Outdoor Advertisin!!:
Legislation has surfaced during this Session in HB 715 by Rep. Bense, The bill, entitled Transportation
Facilities and Scenic Highways, requires that a local government which adopts requirements for alteration
of lawfully erected signs located on any portion of an interstate or federal highway system must pay just
compensation to the sign owner, if the alteration constitutes a taking under state law, It further creates F. S.
s. 479.25 which allows a local government to enter into an agreement allowing the height above ground
level of a laWfully erected sign to be increased in its present location if a noise attenuation barrier, visibility
screen or other highway improvement is erected in such a way as to block the visibility of the sign. The
bill was reported favorably by the Transportation Committee and has two more committees of reference.
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RUTLEDGE, ECENIA, PuRNELL & HOFFMAN
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Weekly Legislative Report
February 8, 2002
Page 2
The companion, SB 728 by Senator Latvala, entitled Florida Interstate Highway System, contains the same
language. It passed favorably from the Committee on Comprehensive Planning and has two more
committees of reference.
Insoector General
HB 191, by Rep. Diaz de la Portilla, establishes an office of Inspector General in the newly-reorganized
Department of Education It directs the Inspector General to conduct, coordinate and request investigations
in substiantiated allegations made by any person relating to waste, fraud or financial mismanagement
within the school districts, the public community colleges and the public universities in Florida. The bill
passed favorably from the Education Appropriations Committee and has one more committee of reference.
Film and Entertainment
Several bills have been filed relative to incentives for the motion picture and television industry. SB 2242
by Senator Saunders, creates an entertainment industry financial incentive program within OlEO in the
Governor's Office. The bill calls for an appropriation of $20 million for this program to reimburse certain
expenditures for certain producers of motion pictures and television programs in the State of Florida HB
1647 has been filed by Rep, Davis which calls for a $10 million appropriation to establish the same
incentive program. In speaking with Rep. Davis, he has informed us of his intention to amend his bill to
reflect the $20 million appropriation in the Senate version. Lt, Governor Frank Brogan has spoken out
publicly in support of this program SB 2216 by Senator Campbell has been filed to completely reorganize
the Film and Entertainment Commissioner's Office. It would further dismantle the current Advisory
Council. As you recall, we worked feverishly to establish the Office of Film Commissioner and that
Advisory Council several years ago, Film Conunissioner Rebecca Mattingly is not in support of Senator
Campbell's bill, nor are the local film commissioners, but they do support the bills filed by Senator
Saunders and Rep. Davis.
Transoortation Outreach PrOgram
Secretary of Transportation Barry presented his proposal for revision of the TOPS Program to the Senate
Transportation Conunittee. The Secretary's proposal calls for a review panel consisting of one member of
the Senate, one member of the House and the FOOT secretary. He recommends funding of $62 million for
the 2003 fiscal year, rather than the currently appropriated $90 million. The Secretary is in favor of
maintaining the current panel reconunendation for the 2002-2003 budget, although that recommended list
totals nearly $92 million. The House Transportation Committee has filed its proposal in PCB 1. This
proposal would dismantle the current TOPS Program and create a Florida Investment and Regional
Strategic Transportation Act (FIRST). FIRST would create two distinct grant programs: the Strategic
Intermodel System Program and the Local Transportation Management Grant Program It crea,tes a three-
member council charged with evalnating the grant applications for both programs after they have been
reviewed by DOT for initial'screening. The FIRST council would reconunend a list of projects for each
grant program to the Legislature without ranking them. It will be up to the Legislature to choose grant
recipients from the recommended list. The proposal would be for tbe fiscal year 2003-04. The House
proposal also creates "strategic trade corridors." We are forwarding both proposals to City staff for
evaluation.
FRDAP
The City has submitted a $100,000 grant proposal for the Flamingo Park FRDAP program. This proposal
fits into the "greater than $50,000 development" category within the FRDAP program. In that particular
category, 52 projects were chosen totaling $9 million. The Flamingo Park application was not in the first
52 projects. We will continue to work with appropriation committee members relative to this item on
behalf of the City.
RUTLEDG~. ECENIA, pU-~LL & HOFFMAN
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Weekly Legislative Report
February 8, 2002
Page 3
Securitv Fundinl!:
Governor Bush has released a supplemental budget recommendation for an additional $437 million. In the
supplemental budget are a number of security appropriations which would funnel down to local
governments, These include: $2.5 million statewide to provide consistent and coordinated training to
firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. An additional $8,5 million statewide is recommended for
appropriation for protective equipment for first responders in law enforcement We will continue to follow
these security funding issues on behalf of the City.
Other Issues
SJR 938 and SB 1106, which represent Senate President McKay's Tax Reform Package and implementing
bill, passed the Senate by a vote of 3 1-9. Before passage, the tax exemption for advertising was reinstated.
No House bill has been filed as yet but the House plans to hear testimony from opponents and proponents
to the Senate bill during the week of February I I.
We look forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of the City of Miami Beach as we enter the fourth
week of the Legislative Session.
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RUTLEDGE, ECENIA. PURNELL & HOFFMAN
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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
AlTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
STEPHEN A. ECENIA
KENNETH A. HOFFMAN
THOMAS W. KONRAD
MICHAEL G. MAIDA
MARTIN P. McDONNEll
J. STEPHEN MENTON
POST OFFICE BOX 551, 32302-0551
215 SOUTH MONROE STREET. SUITE 420
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32301-1841
R. DAVID PRESCOTT
HAROlD F. X. PURNell
GARY R. RUTlEOOE
TELEPHONE (850) 681,6788
TELECOPIER (850) 681,6515
GOVERNMENTAl CONSULTANTS
MARGARET A. MENDUNI
M. LAr.E STEPtlEr.S
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor David Dermer
City Commissioners and City Manager Gonzalez
City of Miami Beach
Via: Facsimile to Kevin Crowder (hard copy to follow)
From: Gary Rutledge
Fausto Gomez
Bob Levy
Manny Reyes
Margie Menduni
Date: February 15, 2002
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Weekly Legislative Report
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Growth Manae:ement
HB 753 by Rep. Munnan, which provides for local govenunents and school districts to enter into interlacal
agreements relative to growth management, was voted favorably from the Committee on Lifelong _
Learning. It has one committee of reference to go, The companion, SB 1876 by Sen. Brown-Waite has not
been heard in committee as yet. HB 753 does strike F.S. 235.19, which allows the Department of
Education to promulgate roles relative to school siting, which is the issue of concern for the City" ,
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School Safetv
HB 443 by ReP. Barreiro passed favorably from the Council on Lifelong Learning. This was the last
committee of reference in the House. The <;ompanion, SB 532 by Senator Silver is being heard in the
Senate Education Committee on 2/18. We have been working with Senator Silver's staff, Rep. Barreiro,
the Department of Education, and the Department of Insurance to ensure that the local fire officials, the
school boards, the Department of Education and the State Fire Marshal's office to secure a consensus on
the bilL We expect that additional changes will be made to the bill on the Senate side to accommodate all
parties' concerns while at the same time maintaining the safety of the local schools as detennined by the
local fire officials.
Minimum Wage
HB 859 by Rep. Bense passed favorably from both the Fiscal Policy Committee and the Council on Ready
Infrastmcture, It has no more committees of reference and is ready for the House floor. The exemptions
for the City's employees and contract employees have been maintained in the bilL The Senate companion,
SB 1902 by Senator Peaden passed favorably from the Comprehensive Planning Committee and is
agendaed for the Commerce Committee on 2/19. The exemption for City employees and contract
employees has also remained in this companion bill.
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Weekly Legislative Report
Febrwuy 15, 2002
Page 2
Outdoor Advertising
HB 715 by Rep. Bense entitled Transportation Facilities and Scenic Highways contains a provision which
requires that a local government which adopts regulations for alteration of lawfully erected signs located on
any portion of an interstate or federal highway system must pay just compensation to the sign owner, if the
alteration constitutes a taking under state law. It further creates F.S. s. 479.25 which allows a local
government to enter into an agreement allowing the height above ground level of a lawfully erected sign to
be increased in its present location if a noise attenuation barrier, visibility screen or other highway
improvement is erected in such a way as to block the visibility of the sign. The bill passed favorably from
the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriation Committee. It has one more committee of
reference. Its companion, SB 728 by Senator Latvala, had no activity this week.
InSPector General
HB 191, by Rep. Diaz de la PoItilla, establishl:s an office of Inspector General in the newly-reorganized
Department of Education. It directs the Inspector General to conduct, coordinate and request investigations
in substantiated allegations made by any person relating to waste, fraud or financial mismanagement within
the school districts, the public community colleges and the public universities in Florida. The Honse bill
had no action this week. Two identical companions have been filed, SB 1416 by Senator Garcia and SB
1884 by Senator Wasserman-Schultz, Both of these Senate bills are agendaed for the Senate Education
Committee on 2/18, We have been working with Rep. Diaz de la Portilla and the lobbyist for the Miami-
Dade school district to come to a compromise agreement on new language being proposed for this bill. We
have worked with the City of Miami Beach staff on this language which would allow a school district to
establish an Office of Inspector General within that district if it so chose, and to establish an Ethics
Commission if it chose to do so. These proposals are coming from the Miami-Dade School Board; we are
working on accountability measures relative to these issues,
Film and Entertaimnent
A new bill has been filed this week, HB 1823 by Rep, Machek, entitled "Barty Plans Florida Film Industry
Equity Act." The bill provides preference on bids relating to commercial film industry work to commercial
film enterprises based in the State of Florida under given circumstances. We have not seen a Senate
companion as yet.
Transnortation Outreach Program
The Honse proposal for reorganization of the grant money currently provided through the TOPS Program is
now in HB 1839 by the House Transportation Committee. It was heard and passed successfully from the
Transportation Committee as a proposed committee bilL It is now referenced to Transportation Economic'
Development Appropriation Committee. This bill dismantles the current TOPS Program and creates a
"Florida Investment in Regional Strategic Transportation Act (FIRST)." Two distinct grant programs are
created: a Strategic Intermodel System Program and a Local Transportation Management Grant Program.
The proposal would be in place for the fiscal year 2003-04 if the bill should pass. We have sent it to City
stafIfor evaluation. The Senate's proposal for the TOPS Program is not in bill form as yet.
Altos del Mar
DEP continues to advertise the sale of the lots in Altos del Mar. They will have advertisements in USA
Today and the Wall Street Journal on Friday, 2/22, both in hard copy and on-line. They will advertise
again in the Miami Herald on Sunday, 2/17, They are also soon to go on-line relative to infonnation on the
sale of these lots on the State's website, mvtlorida.com.
The bid packages are ready and will be sent out upon request. The deadline for offers will be April 3. The
bids will opened at 2:00 p.m. April 3 at the DEP office in Tallahassee.
If all goes as planned, DEP contemplates bringing the successful bids to the Cabinet on May 7. Hopefully,
all sales will be complete by June 30,
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Rl:TTLEDGE. ECENIA, Pu':RNELL & HOFFMAN
Weekly Legislative Report
February 15,2002
Page 3
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DEP has also informed us that the "tacky" For Sale signs which are currently on the property will soon be
replaced. We will continue to keep the City informed of activities in this regard.
Convention Center
We have been working feverishly with City staff, Rep. Heyman and Rep. Johnson to include the City's
Convention Center in the tax refund program established in HB 1419, which passed favorably from the
House Tourism Committee. As filed by Rep. Johnson, this bill would have allowed convention center with
75,000 square feet of exhibit space who own, operate, and manage their facility to qualify through OTED
for a refund of one-half of the sales tax generated by the center to be used for further economic
development. Rep, Heyman amended the bill to strike the provisions requiring management and operation
of the facility which would allow Miami Beach's Convention Center to apply for this program. The Senate
companion, 5B 1956 by Senator Constantine will be heard in the Comprehensive Planning Committee on
2/19. We are working to amend this bill ina similar fashion,
Road Desil!Jlation
HB 159 by Rep. Bullard, entitled Road DesignationlMiami-Dade County, was amended to include the
designation of a portion of Collins Avenue that begins 2,000 feet north of relocated 44th Street, separates at
relocated 44th Street into Indian Creek Drive (southbound) and Collins Avenue (northbound) until those
roads merge at 25th Street, continues south on Collins Avenue to terminate just south of Lincoln Road to be
designated as "Morris Lapidus Boulevard." The bill is on second reading on the House floor, The Senate
companion, S8 936 by Senator Jones, has not been heard in committee as yet and would need to be
amended in like fashion. Senator Silver has filed a stand-alone bill, 58 2364, to accomplish this objective.
Senator Silver informed us about the City's desire to have this road designation accomplished. Although
we have not been directly contacted relative to this issue, we presume until told otherwise that we should
move forward with accomplishing this task on behalf of the City.
It was our pleasure to arrange for meetings and introductions at the Capitol for Commissioner Saul Gross
during his visit to Tallahassee on February 13-14. We arranged for Commissioner Gross to attend and be
introduced at the weekly Dade Delegation meeting and be introduced by Representative Gelber from the
House Floor. We arranged for the Commissioner to attend a dinner with Rep. Heyman and Representative
Gelber, as well as stafffrom Senator Silver's office to discuss city issues. The Commissioner was able to
attend Rep. Barreiro's presentation of his fire safety bill before the Council on Education Innovation. We
arranged for Commissioner Gross to meet with Rep. Lacasa, Chair of the House Appropriations
Committee, relative to the City's 16th Street project and the convention center bill, and to meet with other
staff and legislators.
We look forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of the City of Miami Beach as we enter the fifth week
of the Legislative Session.
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TELEPHONE (850) 681-6788
TELECOPIER (850) 681-6515
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GOVERNMENT~eoNSULTANTS
MARGARET A. MENDUNI
M. LAAE STEPrlE"'S
POST OFFICE BOX 551, 32302-0551
215 SOUTH MONROE STREET, SUITE 420
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32301,1841
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor David Denner
City Conunissioners and City Manager Gonzalez
City of Miami Beach
Via: Facsimile to Kevin Crowder (hard copy to follow)
From: Gary Rutledge
Fausto Gomez
Bob Levy
Manny Reyes
Margie Menduni
Date: February 22, 2002
RE: Weekly Legislative Report
The Florida Legislative has now completed five weeks of the nine week Session, with the House and
Senate still stalled primarily over Senate President McKay's tax reform bill. This week, House Speaker
Feeney created a special "Conunittee of the Whole" which included all House members to hear
presentations and have debate on the Senate tax reform package. The bills which have passed the Senate
have not officially been sent in message to the House, so the House prepared a PCB and brought before the
Conunittee of the Whole, the question of whether the PCB should be accepted for introduction. Numerous
Democratic House members and the Black Caucus walked out as this discussion began on the House Floor,
They were protesting the manner in which the discussion was managed on the Flobr. The House voted 99-
o to not introduce the tax reform legislation, Meanwhile, Senator McKay says he will not abandon his
pr~sa]. .
After five weeks of Session, only two bills have passed both the House and the Senate. The House has
prepared its budget, which will be discussed on the Floor next week, but the Senate apparently does not
plan to vote on its budget for two more weeks, which would make scheduling of conference and passage of
the budget prior to the scheduled end of Session on March 22 very difficult
Redistricting has gone fOIWard in the conunittee process on the House side but has slowed down
considerably on the Senate side, The Capitol is rife with speculation as to what will break this deadlock
over tax reform, but no official plan has emerged.
The following is an update on the City of Miami Beach's legislative priorities for this week
RU~LED~E, ECENIA. PD~LL & HOFFMAN
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Weekly Legislative Report
February 22, 2002
Page 2
School Fire SafetY
SB 532 by Senator Silver was heard and passed favorably in the Senate Education Committee, but still has
three committees of reference. We will be working with the Senator to get withdrawn from one or two
other committees. On the House side, HB 443 by Rep. Barreiro has completed the committee process and
is ready for floor action.
Windstorm Insurance
Senator Silver and Rep. Heyman led a group of legislators in a press conference this week to make known
their distress over the lack of activity on nmnerous windstorm insurance bills filed for this Session. None
of the bills have been heard as yet. At the press conference about a dozen coastal and inland legislators,
primarily from the House, spoke about their specific concern relative to increasing premiums and inequities
in the current system. At the conclusion of the press conference, Rep. Heyman reported that they were
working with the Department of Insurance to fashion some legislation which would be agreeable to all
parties concerned and would be heard prior to the end of Session, Two bills are scheduled to be heard next
week. Companion bills SB 1418 by Senator Garcia and HB 1361 by Rep, Atwater are supported by
Insurance Commissioner Gallagher. The proposal merges the Windstonn and Homeowners Iusurance
Pools into one tax exempt entity called the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. The proposal includes
issuance of tax exempt bonds and a phase out over time of the current Windstorm Underwriting
Association Board, made up of insurance industry representatives. The controversial bill by the House
Council on Competitive Commerce by the Chairman, Rep. Alexander, which would prevent second homes
from being insured through the Wiiuistorm Underwriting Association and also eventually prohibit homes
valued at more $300,000 from being covered by the windstonn coverage was agendaed to be heard this
week but was postponed,
Insoector General for the School SYStem
HB 191, by Rep. Diaz de la Portilla has completed the committee process and is ready for the Floor. On
the Senate side, SB 1416 by Senator Garcia and SB 1884 Senator Wasserman-Schultz have been combined
and passed favorably from the Education Committee. TIris bill is agendaed for the Government Oversight
Committee on 2/26,
Growth Ma1u12ement
Growth management legislation appears to be tied up in the overall struggle between the House and the
Senate. The large growth management packagejn the Senate by Senator Constantine, SB 382, was
withdrawn this week from two committees and is ready for Floor activity. There is no House bill which is
identical to this overall reform bill. There are several pieces of legislation which deal with various growth
management issues on the Rouse side which have finally begun to move. Up to now the most promising
bill has been HB 753 by Rep, Munnan which requires local govemmentsand district school boards to enter
into interlocal agreements relative to the planning process for schools. It has one more committee of
reference. HB 1535 by Rep. Carrassas streamlines the review process for comprehensive plans and
amendments by advancing the time allowed for agencies to comment on these amendments to 30 days. If
the plan amendments are in compliance, DCA must respond within 20 days rather than 45 days. The bill
also makes changes to the DR! process by listing development which is not to be considered under the DR!
review. It further eliminates petrolemn storage tanks and marinas from the DR! process, The bill further
waives the concurrency requirement for local governments for urban infill and redevelopment areas, The
bill passed favorably from the Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee, but its companion, SB
2228 by Senator Clary, has not been heard in committee, HB 1609 by Bennett, Local Government
Development Orders, provides a method for challenging the consistency of local government development
orders. Itpassed favorably from the Conunittee on Local Government and Veterans Affairs and has one
more committee of reference, Its companion, SB 1906 by Senator Peaden, has not been heard in
committee,
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Weekly Legislative Repon
February 22, 2002
Page 3
Minimum Wage
SB 1902 by Senator Peaden and DB 859 by Rep. Bense have completed the committee process and are
ready for Floor activity. Both versions of the bill still contain language which allows local governments to
set a minimum wage for their own employees and contracted employees.
Film and Entertainment
DB 1647 by Rep. Davis would create a program under which certain producers of motion pictures or
television programs and digital effects companies would be reimbursed for a percentage of expenses while
filming in Florida. The bill was heard and passed favorably from the House Tourism Committee. It does
have two more committees of reference. The companion, SB 2242 by Senator Saunders is scheduled to be
heard in the Commerce and Economic Development Committee on 2/26. It has three more committees of
reference and a fiscal impact of approximately $3.1 million. It's not likely to pass this Session.
Convention Center
SB 1956 by Senator Constantine was heard in Comprehensive Planning and passed favorably, It was
amended to remove language which required that a convention center be "operated and managed" in order
to apply for certification and tax refunds, This of course would allow the City of Miami Beach's center to
be included. The Committee on Comprehensive Planning reluctantly passed the bill because it was the
Chainnan's bill, There were very pointed questions directed to the representative of the Orlando
Convention Center, who initiated this bill relative to their "audacity" to bring forward such an incentive bill
during economic hard times. Although we had worked with Senator Wasserman-Schultz to provide the
needed amendment to include the City of Miami Beach's Convention Center, it was not necessary for her
to present the amendment, because Senator Constantine proposed the amendment himself.
The Miami-Dade Charter Home Rule
DB 1069, which would allow Miami-Dade County voters to make changes to the Home Rule Charter,
passed the House Floor this week.
Road Desil!nation
It is our pleasure to assist the City of Miami Beach out of its potentially embarrassing situation by working
with Senator Silver, Senator Jones, Senator Garcia, Rep. Bullard, Rep. Gelber, and City staff for several
days to remove the Morris Lapidus road designation which would have affected a section of Collins
Avenue, SB 1430 by Senator Garcia had been amended by Senator Jones to include the road designation
, language for the City of Miami Beach. We worked with Senator Jones' office and he successfully removed
the language on the Senate Floor on second reading. It now rolls to third and should. be in good shape on
the Senate side. DB 159 was amended by Rep. Gelber to include the Morris Lapidus language. We are
working with Rep. Gelber to have him remove the language when the bill is addressed on the House Floor.
It was brought up two weeks, but was temporarily postponed waiting for the Senate companion. We will
continue to work with all parties since these bills contain all the road designations for Miami-Dade, which
legislators have been working on for months.
We look forward to continuing our work on behalf of the City of Miami Beach as we enter the sixth week
of the Legislative Session.
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