This bill addresses the issue of projected deficits within the Citizens account by implementing financial mechanisms for recovery. When a deficit is determined, the board levies a Citizens policyholder surcharge, up to 15% of the policy premium. The surcharge is required upon policy cancellation, renewal, or issuance of a new policy by the corporation. This surcharge isn't considered part of the premium and is not subject to commissions, fees, or premium taxes; non-payment is equivalent to a failure to pay the premium itself. Residual deficits after accounting for these surcharges must be recovered through emergency assessments. This supplementary financial measure is to be collected from assessable insurers and assessable insureds upon policy issuance or renewal. The emergency assessments are not considered part of insurers' rates or premium, neither are they subject to taxes and commissions.

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This bill removes limitations that prevent lawful gun owners from purchasing, possessing, or carrying firearms during emergencies. With the repeal of this section, authorities would no longer exercise the automatic power to enforce restrictions on firearms and ammunition based solely on the declaration of an emergency. If passed and enacted, HB 1615 would take immediate effect.

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This bill specifies the types of direct and indirect costs that can be covered by fees, including building plan reviews, inspections, re-inspections, permit processing, training, and unlicensed contractor enforcement. It enforces strict limitations on revenue that can be generated from fees to ensure they do not exceed enforcement costs. Excess funds are to be used for fee reduction, building enforcement agency facilities, or training related to building code enforcement. Certain activities, such as planning and zoning, cannot be funded by these fees. The legislation also introduces new thermal efficiency standards for unvented attics and rafter assemblies that rely on airtight insulating techniques and mechanical ventilation systems. Additionally, there are amendments that require employers to provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance when getting building permits, as well as updates to electronic and physical retention of site plans.

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This bill enhances government accountability by tightening restrictions on lobbyists and officials. The act prohibits individuals from accepting items of value from entities classified as "foreign countries of concern." Additionally, it mandates lobbyists to register with the Ethics Commission before engaging with county, municipality, or special district entities. The commission is made responsible for maintaining a public lobbyist registry and overseeing registration cancelations. Also, local governments must ensure compliance with these regulations. This legislation also limits the ability of governmental bodies to renew employment contracts of certain administrative positions within predefined timeframes, except under certain conditions. The act encompasses amending and reenacting multiple Florida Statutes to align with these accountability standards.

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This bill makes changes to requirements for natural gas transmission pipelines, exemptions, and certification processes. There is an emphasis on assessing the security and resilience of the state's electric grid and natural gas facilities against physical and cyber threats. The document calls for the Public Service Commission to coordinate a plan with various state agencies and utility companies for this assessment and subsequent reporting. Moreover, the Commission shall investigate the feasibility of advanced nuclear power technologies, such as small modular reactors, and their potential use in military installations. Additionally, the Department of Transportation is tasked with studying the development of hydrogen fueling infrastructure, aligning with state energy policy goals.

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This bill mandates the creation of a website dedicated to providing a wide range of pregnancy and parenting resources. Florida's Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration, is tasked with maintaining this specialized website. The content will span topics such as educational materials on pregnancy, parenting, maternal health services, prenatal and postnatal care, fatherhood programs, social services, financial assistance, and adoption services but not abortion.

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This bill focuses on the educational programming for students in juvenile justice education programs, providing individualized support to facilitate their reentry into society and the educational system. Highlights include remedial courses, career and technical education (CAPE) courses, high school equivalency preparation, and exceptional student education curricula.

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This bill aims to stabilize the property insurance market for residents and businesses by outlining the operations of the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Recognizing that affordable property insurance is unavailable from private insurers, the bill emphasizes the need to protect public welfare by ensuring properties are insured at reasonable rates. The legislation grants Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, a government entity, the authority to provide this needed coverage. This entity is tasked with increasing access to affordable property insurance and is expected to maintain service quality at levels comparable to the voluntary market. Moreover, to bolster the entity's financial capability to pay out claims post-catastrophic events, the legislation intends for the corporation's income to be exempt from federal income taxation.

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This bill mandates that homeowner associations (HOAs) provide all members a copy of the association’s rules and covenants by October 1, 2024. HOAs must also supply the same to every new member thereafter. In the event of amendments to the rules or covenants, updated copies must be distributed to members. HOAs have the authority to establish distribution standards and timeframes for the updated documents. In fulfillment of these requirements, associations may opt to post the complete documents or a direct link on their website's homepage, granted the website is member-accessible.

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This bill presents comprehensive changes across multiple sections of the Florida Statutes, primarily focusing on affordable housing provisions. It includes modifications to property tax exemptions, stipulates certification requirements for property appraisers and property owners, and mandates updated practices for the allocation of funds and loans. To qualify for certain tax benefits, properties need certification notices from corporations indicating eligibility criteria have been met.

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This bill mandates public schools to include comprehensive instruction on the history of communism, starting from the 2026-2027 school year. The curriculum includes the history of communism and communist movements in the U.S., atrocities committed under communist regimes abroad, and a comparative analysis of political ideologies contrasting communism and totalitarianism with U.S. founding principles of freedom and democracy.

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This bill stipulates that health insurance policies may offer coverage for sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures only if they include equivalent coverage for detransition treatments. Additionally, insurers must offer policies that do not include such coverage. Importantly, the legislation prohibits the denial of coverage for mental health services treating gender dysphoria by affirming an insured's birth sex. The bill also bars individuals from changing the gender on their driver’s licenses.

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This bill introduces the concept of a classical education teaching certificate, which can be requested by classical schools for applicants who meet specified criteria. A "classical school" is defined as one emphasizing moral character and civic virtue through a classical education model.

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This bill regulates how local governments can manage the demolition and redevelopment of nonconforming and unsafe buildings. Local governments cannot prevent the demolition of buildings except for public safety reasons, and they can only review demolition permit applications based on compliance with building and safety codes. Replacement structures must be allowed to meet the maximum height and size allowed by local regulations for the area they are in. The local government is restricted from diminishing the development potential of replacement structures, replicating or preserving elements of demolished buildings, or imposing extra building requirements. It has a retroactive effect, preempts local laws limiting demolition or redevelopment as described, and voids local laws that are contrary to its provisions.

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This bill creates the Purple Alert system, a protocol aimed at aiding in the search for certain missing adults with cognitive or mental disabilities not related to Alzheimer's, dementia, or substance abuse. This system will include policies for local law enforcement to activate a Purple Alert and specifies the duties of the Department of Law Enforcement's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Purple Alerts are designed for specific circumstances where there is an immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person, and their disappearance necessitates law enforcement intervention.

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This bill encourages civic involvement by providing special access to schools for certain patriotic organizations. School districts can permit these organizations to speak during school hours, distribute materials, and create displays. Districts allowing such interactions must schedule specific times and post reasonable notice. Moreover, these organizations may use school facilities for related activities after school hours.

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This bill entitles Florida school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy allowing volunteer chaplains who can offer support services and programs to students. The bill sets requirements, including the assignment of duties to chaplains, background screening adherence, and obtaining informed written parental consent for a child’s participation. There is also a mandate for districts and charter schools to vote on the policy adoption by January 1, 2025.

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The bill stipulates that professional firms, or their employees, providing monitoring and inspection services for state roadway, bridge, or other transportation facility construction are to be considered agents of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) during their contractual work. These firms must indemnify FDOT to the extent required by law for liabilities, including attorney fees, caused by the firm's negligence up to specified limits.

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This bill aims to defend critical infrastructure by introducing new penalties for unauthorized tampering, trespassing, and computer offenses. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" broadly to include various facilities, such as electric power plants, chemical storage, communication networks, military bases, and water treatment plants.

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This bill eliminates provisions for the public funding of election campaigns for candidates for statewide office who abide by certain spending limits.

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This bill mandates that moving brokers must be registered and clearly disclose their role and fees to customers. Brokers can only arrange for transportation of property by registered movers and cannot provide estimates for total moving costs, which must be provided directly by the registered movers. Moving brokers are required to display their registration number and that their fees do not include the cost of moving services. Additionally, they must list all registered movers they work with including complete contact details and ownership information, and they must include an itemized breakdown of their service fees.

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This bill establishes the Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program within the Department of Education to acknowledge high school graduates who achieve exemplary results in fine arts courses. With the aim to encourage student proficiency in the visual and performing arts, the Seal of Fine Arts is awarded to students who meet certain criteria beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Eligible students must have a standard high school diploma, complete three year-long fine arts courses with grades of "A" or higher, and accomplish two additional benchmarks, such as completing advanced coursework, participating in a juried event, volunteering for arts-related services, or being recognized for an original work of art.

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This bill establishes a legal framework for the production, manufacturing, sale, and distribution of hemp extract products in Florida. Hemp and its extracts, including cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), are not classified as controlled substances if they comply with the new regulations. This includes meeting threshold requirements for THC concentration levels. Products must be analyzed by independent laboratories, ensuring they're free from contaminants and within THC limits. Packaging criteria are strict, demanding measures to prevent children's access and unintended adulteration, with the necessity for clear labeling that includes batch information, expiration dates, and a link to detailed lab analyses. Sale to individuals under 21 is prohibited. Furthermore, regulatory oversight extends to facilities manufacturing the products, which must uphold health and safety standards.

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This bill aims to improve transportation services for the disadvantaged, including those with disabilities. The bill emphasizes fair access and strives to provide cost-effective transportation irrespective of the operating systems or profit status of providers. It mandates the following: performance audits of transportation contracts, creation of a complaints system, annual reporting on service quality, funding allocation methodologies, and ensuring drivers attend disability service training. A new section, 427.02, details obligations for transportation service providers: driver training to meet the standards set by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, secure interior camera systems in paratransit vehicles, offer internet and smartphone-based booking and tracking in accessible formats, conduct technology maintenance and upgrades, and provide both pre-booking and on-demand services.

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The bill authorizes advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) to order healthcare services and write prescriptions for home health services to Medicaid recipients. Such services must be legal and medically necessary. They include nursing, home health aide services, and necessary equipment, but do not cover individuals in a hospital or nursing facility. The provisions mandate that the ordering healthcare provider must not be affiliated with the home health agency, except when retirement communities own certain health facilities. Additionally, the provider must have examined the recipient within 30 days prior to requesting services and biannually thereafter, with prescriptions detailing the medical condition and required services. The provider's credentials must also be listed on the prescription and related claims.

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This bill aims to support the preservation of Florida's African American history and culture. It stipulates the creation of the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network and outlines a contract between the Department of State and this nonprofit organization. The bill specifies that the Network is to handle various functions such as the distribution of funding to member museums, galleries, and related institutions for the development and support of technology, exhibits, and the preservation of artifacts and documents. Additionally, it details support for professional and resource development.

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This bill prohibits county commissioners from seeking re-election if they would have served 8 consecutive years in office by the end of their current term. Additionally, the bill restricts these individuals from qualifying for a ballot for any other county commission seat within the same county until 2 years have passed since their last term concluded.

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This bill provides a clear definition of 'election worker,' which includes members of county canvassing boards and individuals serving as election officials or poll workers involved in the state's electoral processes. The legislation makes it unlawful to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or harass election workers. This prohibition also extends to any attempts to impede or interfere with the workers' official duties or to retaliate against them for fulfilling their responsibilities. Violations of this section constitute a third-degree felony.

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This bill advances the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the development and implementation of technologies to prevent, control, and mitigate red tide blooms. The new bill mandates the initiative to progress from laboratory testing to field trials for the developed technologies. The Initiative is required to report its findings to the Department of Environmental Protection.

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The bill aims to safeguard the rights of artists and performers to freedom of speech. Specifically, it prohibits the owners or operators of public venues from canceling live performances due to the lawful exercise of speech or personal beliefs of the performers or any members of a musical group.

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