2022 Florida Legislative Report

The 2022 Florida Legislative Session Summary can be downloaded HERE. This summary includes the CFHLA Government Relations Team, as well as the 2022 Legislative session highlights.

Tourist Development Tax (TDT) (DIED)

In 1977, the Florida Legislature passed the "Tourist Development Tax" (F.S.125.0104) at the request of Florida lodging executives. The purpose of the tax was to create dedicated revenue for tourism promotion and investment.
Now more than ever, CFHLA strongly advocates preserving the integrity of this "bed tax,” so that it is utilized for tourism-promotion purposes only. CFHLA strongly opposes any efforts to expand the allowable uses beyond tourism promotion including public facility projects such as transportation, sewage, etc.

CFHLA Opposed the following bills and they all died during the 2022 Florida Legislative Session.

HB 6075 - Representative Eskamani

SB 1898 - Senator Farmer Jr.

HB 673 - Representative Shoaf

SB 1542 - Senator Gainer

VISIT FLORIDA Extension & Funding (PASSED)

CFHLA supports the public-private business model for VISIT FLORIDA and will continue to recommend a long-term continuation of its enabling statute.
CFHLA opposes any efforts to replace VISIT FLORIDA funding from the state budget with County-level TDT revenues. Local TDT revenues are committed to vital projects and organizations that generate visitation - providing local economic development and job creation. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida’s tourism industry must ensure significant recovery of travel in 2021 to realize revenue generation comparable to previous years such as 2018 when the state’s Tourism Industry employed more than 1.4 million Floridians.

CFHLA Supported the following bills and SB 434 has been sent to the Governor for approval. SB 434 extends the repeal date for VISIT FLORIDA until 2028. Additionally, VISIT FLORIDA secured $50 million in funding for the FY 2022-2023.

HB 489 - Representative Cheney and Co-Sponsored by Representatives Arrington, Brown, and Morales

SB 434 - Senator Hooper and Co-Sponsored by Senator Stewart and Senator Torres

Vacation Rentals Shared Lodging Platforms (DIED)

CFHLA believes all vacation rental “shared lodging” operators should register as businesses with the State Department of Revenue, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and with their county Tax Collector. CFHLA supports initiatives to ensure “shared lodging” businesses also practice the same safety standards as traditional lodging to protect visitors. These standards include, but are not limited to; human trafficking awareness and prevention, regular health inspections, and COVID-19 hygiene and cleaning procedures.
CFHLA opposes any legislative efforts that would prevent local governments from regulating unregistered and "illegal" vacation rental properties listed on "shared lodging" platforms.

CFHLA Supported the following bills and they made significant progress throughout the 2022 Florida Legislative Session. However, both bills ultimately stalled in the House and Senate and died.

HB 325 - Representative Fischer and Co-Sponsored by Representative Morales

SB 512 - Senator Burgess

Consumer Data Privacy (DIED)

CFHLA believes that individual companies should be able to make decisions on how they use, store, and share consumer data and information. Additionally, CFHLA believes that requiring businesses to respond to any consumers request and delete such information upon request, is unnecessary and the cost of compliance could be significant for small and medium-sized businesses.
CFHLA opposes any legislative efforts that impacts how companies use, store, and share consumer data.

CFHLA Opposed the following bills and they both died during the 2022 Florida Legislative Session.

HB 9 - Representative McFarland

SB 1864 - Senator Bradley

Florida Timeshare Act (DIED)

CFHLA supports ARDA’s legislative proposal, which seeks the clarification and modernization of several provisions in the Florida Timeshare Act. Beneficial revisions for owners’ associations include the option for meetings to be held virtually, an exemption from current requirements to deliver notices to an owner’s unit rather than address of record, clearer authority to act in an emergency, and streamlining the trustee foreclosure process to make it less time consuming. The proposal would also allow developers to deliver certain documents to purchasers electronically and clarify provisions regarding the delivery and filing of other required documents. These proposed changes would help bring the statute up to date relative to the current business model and available technology.

CFHLA Supported the following bills and they made significant progress throughout the 2022 Florida Legislative Session. However, both bills ultimately stalled in the House and Senate and died.

HB 575 - Representative McClain

SB 1216 - Senator Hutson

Workforce/Affordable Housing (PASSED)

CFHLA supports ARDA’s legislative proposal, which seeks the clarification and modernization of several provisions in the Florida Timeshare Act. Beneficial revisions for owners’ associations include the option for meetings to be held virtually, an exemption from current requirements to deliver notices to an owner’s unit rather than address of record, clearer authority to act in an emergency, and streamlining the trustee foreclosure process to make it less time consuming. The proposal would also allow developers to deliver certain documents to purchasers electronically and clarify provisions regarding the delivery and filing of other required documents. These proposed changes would help bring the statute up to date relative to the current business model and available technology.

CFHLA Supported the following bills and they made significant progress throughout the 2022 Florida Legislative Session. However, both bills ultimately stalled in the House and Senate and died.

Property Tax Extension (DIED)

CFHLA supports ARDA’s legislative proposal, which seeks the clarification and modernization of several provisions in the Florida Timeshare Act. Beneficial revisions for owners’ associations include the option for meetings to be held virtually, an exemption from current requirements to deliver notices to an owner’s unit rather than address of record, clearer authority to act in an emergency, and streamlining the trustee foreclosure process to make it less time consuming. The proposal would also allow developers to deliver certain documents to purchasers electronically and clarify provisions regarding the delivery and filing of other required documents. These proposed changes would help bring the statute up to date relative to the current business model and available technology.

CFHLA Supported the following bills and they made significant progress throughout the 2022 Florida Legislative Session. However, both bills ultimately stalled in the House and Senate and died.