June 2, 2022
Public Policy Update
Governor Ron DeSantis just signed the $109.9 billion 2022-23 state budget into law, which includes four of our legislative priorities from the 2022 session.
First off, it solidifies the $100 million that was allocated for the new Hometown Heroes Housing Program. This means that, come July 1st, down payment and closing cost assistance will be available for eligible hometown heroes such as nurses, teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and other critical front-line workers. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation is the entity administering the program, so if you have clients that you believe can take advantage of this assistance, please send them here to get started on the application process.
The signing of the budget also means that $262 million will become available at the start of the new fiscal year for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and State Apartment Incentive Loan programs (SAIL). These existing affordable housing programs have been a long-standing priority for Florida Realtors® as they provide homeownership and rental assistance to low-income Floridians.
On the environmental side of things, the signing of the budget locks in place more than $1.6 billion for water quality and other environmental-related projects that help make Florida the inviting place that it is. This funding will flow to a large variety of projects designed to increase resilience, combat red tide, address wastewater issues and much more. Here is a general breakdown of where a majority of the money will go:
- Over $500 million for Everglades Restoration
- Over $558 million for targeted water quality improvements
- $75 million for springs restoration
- $50 million for Florida beaches
- $20 million for Biscayne Bay
- $125 million for the Wastewater Grant Program
- Over $500 million for the Resilient Florida Grant Program
And lastly, the budget includes $500,000 to help the Department of Business and Professional Regulation combat unlicensed real estate activity.
You can read more about the highlights of the budget here.
Governor's Bill-Related Activity
So far, Governor DeSantis has signed 172 pieces of legislation passed during the 2022 legislative session into law. An additional 27 bills have been presented to the governor that await his signature. That leaves 73 bills passed during session that have not been sent to his desk for approval.
Congressional Redistricting Update
The Supreme Court of Florida won’t hear a challenge to the state’s new congressional maps before the midterms. The court recently announced it has denied a request for a new hearing on redistricting. This announcement means the final voice on the matter before the 2022 elections will be Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal, which last month struck down a circuit court decision to replace the map. The congressional and state legislative maps are now finalized.
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
With hurricane season starting this week, Floridians will be able to purchase disaster preparedness items tax free during Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday which runs from Saturday, May 28th, through Friday, June 10th. HB 7071, which was supported by Florida Realtors®, extended the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from 10 days to 14 days. Floridians are expected to save $25.6 million over the 14-day sales tax holiday.
Qualifying disaster preparedness supplies include:
- Pet leashes, collars, muzzles and pads costing $20 or less
- Flashlights, lanterns and pet beds costing $40 or less
- Batteries and weather radios costing $50 or less
- Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers costing $70 or less
- Tarps and portable pet kennels costing $100 or less
- Generators costing $1,000 or less.
A full list of eligible tax-free items is available here.
Flood Control Report Now Required by Law
The South Florida Water Management District will be required to provide an annual report on the status of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project starting next year under legislation signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The study seeks to build on current law that already requires the project to create a yearly Sea Level Rise and Flood resilience plan. The new study will help identify structural issues and funding gaps.
These, and many other topics can be found on Florida Realtors® website. Also, you can always reach out to us at publicpolicy@floridarealtors.org with any questions you may have.