2024 Florida Legislative Report
The 2024 CFHLA Legislative Report can now be downloaded below. This publication includes the CFHLA Government Relations Team, as well as the 2024 Legislative priorities CFHLA advocated for on behalf of the Central Florida tourism and hospitality industry.
CFHLA strongly opposed adding any new or expanded uses for TDT revenues, as doing so only serves to dilute the effectiveness of the dollars, which are statutorily established for the promotion and marketing of tourism.
Each of these bills related to TDT failed at the conclusion of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session.
SUPERMAJORITY VOTE EXPENDITURES GREATER THAN 25% OF TDT COLLECTIONS
HB 1599 - Rep. Truenow
SB 1748 - Sen. Brodeur
MIAMI-DADE-ONLY DISTRIBUTION OF TDT TO MUNICIPALITIES
HB 1081 - Rep. Porras
SB 1072 - Sen. Avila
EXPANDS TDT USES TO FILM AND TELEVISION INCENTIVES
HB 1453 - Rep. Valdes
SB 872 - Sen. Stewart
SUPERMAJORITY VOTE FOR DECREASING DMO FUNDING
SB 1594 - Sen. Stewart
In addition, the annual tax packages from the House and Senate initially contained provisions related to TDT. The House proposal (HB 7073) would have sunset TDT unless approved by a voter referendum before July 1, 2029, and every six years thereafter. The Senate version (SB 7074) would have prohibited counties from spending more than 25% of TDT on convention center projects unless the governing board of a county approves the TDT use by a supermajority vote. However, on the last day of the session, the TDT provisions were removed from the House and Senate’s negotiated final Tax Package.
CFHLA supported the Governor’s $80 million proposed recurring increase for VISIT FLORIDA, which would have equated to a total allocation of $105 million in state tourism funding. By the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, both Chambers agreed to appropriating $80 million in recurring funds for VISIT FLORIDA. After almost being dissolved in 2017, this recurring amount is expected to provide great stability to the state’s tourism agency and the largest appropriation that Visit Florida has ever received.
While vacation home rentals have long been available in Florida, the option to list available units online through advertising platforms has caused this lodging sector to explode by more than 50,000 units in Central Florida. Florida’s statutes need to be updated to accommodate the changing lodging industry, creating balanced and rational regulations that protect our visitors, residents, and communities.
After nearly reaching final passage in the 2023 Legislative Session, SB 280/HB 833, by Senator DiCeglie and Representative Griffitts, passed in the 2024 Legislative Session and will regulate short-term rentals and accompanying advertising platforms throughout the state.
CFHLA supported full funding for the Sadowski Fund, as the Central Florida community has a dire need for more reliable and affordable housing options.
SB 328 by Senator Alexis Calatayud and HB 1239 by Representative Vicki Lopez provides clarifications to the Live Local Act, which passed in the 2023 Legislative Session, as it implemented measures to advance the development of affordable housing options throughout the State. This Session, Live Local was awarded full funding, including $178 for the State Housing Incentive Partnership program (usually known as SHIP), $84 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan dollars program (usually know as SAIL), and $100 million for the Hometown Heroes Program.
At the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, the stormwater rule was ratified by the Legislature, but the business community remained vigilant, ensuring that DEP worked with stakeholders to gain predictability and grandfathering provisions for existing permits were protected.
CFHLA supported several of the American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) legislative proposals, which sought to clarify and modernize the Florida Timeshare Act.
This priority legislation (HB 429) by Representative Will Robinson and (SB 756) by Senator Keith Perry provides numerous clarifications to provisions in alignment with modernization efforts. Moreover, it broadens the scope and duties associated with timeshare plans. Specifically, the bill expands the flexibility and authority of a grant timeshare association to remove an amenity, in addition to including timeshare properties under Inn Keeper’s Rights. This measure broadens the powers of certain boards and administrations related to timeshare plans as well as provides timeshare projects the same rights and remedies as operators of other establishments.
CFHLA encouraged solutions during the 2024 Legislative Session that help our current immigration system, including reform policies that help our hospitality businesses and economy thrive instead of hindering it. Several bills passed this session, including the following:
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS - PASSED
HB 1451 - Rep. Kiyan Michael and Rep. Berny Jacques
SB 1174 - Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
DESIGNATION OF DRUG CARTELS AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS - PENDING
SB 1020 - Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
HB 7065 - Rep. Mike Giallombardo
RECLASSIFICATION OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES - PASSED
SB 1036 - Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
HB 1449 - Rep. Kiyan Michael
ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS - FAILED
In the 2023 Legislative Session, SB 564 was filed regarding interchange fees on taxes as well as on electronic payment transactions (HB 677). Both bills died in 2023; the Senate version died on the calendar, while the House version died on the second reading calendar. In the 2024 Legislative Session, special interest groups pushed for a study, which made it into the state budget, to address a policy regarding the removal of electronic payment transactions from interchange fee calculations. Opponents of this measure state this would affect fees and interests in the credit market, harm small businesses, and upend contracts and negotiations between private entities; ultimately, this could increase costs for consumers.
HB 7073 - Sponsored by Rep. Stan McClain
SB 7074 - Sponsored by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
- HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES: Reduces premium taxes by 75% for a year.
- STRONG FAMILIES TAX CREDIT: Increases tax credit on corporate income from $20 million to
$40 million for businesses that donate to charities supporting children’s welfare.
- FREEDOM MONTH SALES TAX HOLIDAY
July 2024
- BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES TAX HOLIDAY
July 29, 2024 – August 11, 2024
- TOOL TIME SALES TAX HOLIDAY
September 1, 2024 – September 7, 2024
- DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAYS
June 1, 2024 – June 14, 2024
August 24, 2024 – September 6, 2024
SB 106 - Sen. Shevrin Jones
HB 35 - Rep. Joel Rudman
SB 106 by Senator Jones would have mandated businesses to accept cash but was unsuccessful in both Chambers. In the Senate, the bill was postponed indefinitely in its last committee stop, Fiscal Policy. The House counterpart (HB 35) by Representative Rudman, which would have addressed businesses refusing cash for efficiency and safety, faced a similar fate, never receiving a committee hearing. Despite the growing concerns about cashless trends, the bills failed to gain traction, ultimately leaving the issue unresolved this session. It is fully expected that the issue will return in the 2025 Legislative Session.
After significant revisions, the Legislature passed HB 49, which amends work-hour restrictions for two age groupings of minors. Those 15 and under are now allowed to work until 7:00 pm on school nights and a maximum of 15 hours per week. Those 16 to 17 years old are now permitted to work until 11:00 pm on school nights, as well as more than eight hours on Sundays or holidays, and a maximum of 30 hours per week. Breaks are mandated for minors working a continuous four hours; however, waivers for work hour restrictions are available for certain circumstances [i.e., minors who are homeschooled, have graduated, or are in financial hardship].
Governor DeSantis and the Legislature have prioritized the funding of transportation projects as part of the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative. These projects are said to resolve and address issues related to safety, congestion relief, quality of life, resiliency, and modernization. In 2024, the Legislature completed the work and funded the accompanying appropriation required to finish the Moving Florida Forward vision. This includes investments into the I-4 Ultimate Improvements with a series of projects along the I-4 Corridor to improve traffic congestion in Central Florida.
