House, in Mostly Unanimous Votes, Approves 20 Bills

The House approved 20 bills Wednesday.

All the bills, except, SB 634 regarding spaceports, will require Senate approval.

All but one bill, HB 4003, eliminating the Urban Infill and Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program, were unanimous or near unanimous approvals. HB 4003, which several Democrats argued to continue funding, was approved mostly along party lines.

The House approved the following bills Wednesday:

HB 7005: A technical bill to formally adopt the regular session statutes.

HB 7007: A technical bill to remove inconsistencies, redundancies and repetition from statutes.

HB 7009: Another technical bill to remove inconsistencies, redundancies and repetition from statutes.

HB 7011: Replaces the term Florida Forest Service where Division of Forestry" appears in state statutes.

SB 634 (Replacing HB 97): Deletes the term "spaceport launch facilities" and defines the term launch support facilities.

HB 307: Expands existing law that allows corporate officers, who can already exempt themselves from workers compensation coverage, to not be included as employees in premium calculations.

CS/HB 377: Redirects money paid by mining projects in the Miami-Dade Lake Bell Area from a water treatment plant upgrade program to seepage mitigation projects.

HB 4117: Removes the requirement that a person applying to be a geologist pass a state law and rules portion of the national exam.

HB 4039: Repeals state statute that authorizes cities and counties to set aside land for use as playgrounds and recreation centers and manage the land. Local government maintains the power to make such requirements.

HB 4083: Deletes duplicate language in the Florida Water Resources Act of 1972.

HB 4033: Deletes a requirement that the Construction Industry Licensing Board and the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board appoint a joint committee to meet at least twice a year. The committee hasnt met since May 2008.

HB 4003: Eliminates the Urban Infill and Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program, which was created as part of the 1999 Growth Policy Act. The program has not been funded since the Legislature appropriated $2.5 million in 2001.

HB 4027: Eliminates the Community-Based Development Organization Assistance Act, which has not been funded or implemented since it was created by the Legislature in 2000.

HB 4085: Repeals the required appointment of a workers compensation administrator to the Office of Insurance Regulation.

HB 4097: Eliminates duplicate language regarding barbers licensing.

HB 4115: Removes the requirement that cigarette vendors use meter machines to place the tax stamps on the packaging.Wholesalers currently affix excise tax stamps to the packages.

HB 4171: Repeals language in statutes that prohibits the construction of bonfires within 10 rods -- approximately 165 feet -- of any house or building.Regulation of bonfires is handled by local governments.

HB 4075: Repeals a 1984 Charlotte County act related to animal control.

HB 4007: Repeals the Florida Transportation Corporation Act.

HB 4043: Repeals the licensure requirements for chief administrator of real estate schools.

HB 4045: Removes a requirement that the Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco have a duplicate license. Current law requires the division to maintain a paper copy. The change would allow the records to be maintained electronically.