Every week Sunshine State News will be offering a glimpse of important business legislation and crucial state issues being addressed in the Florida Legislature in the coming days.
This week a bill that would make it harder for plaintiffs to win slip and fall lawsuits against retailers makes its way to the House floor, legislation that revamps state recycling works its way through the Senate committee process, and a push for Florida to become the 20th state to demand a balanced federal budget reaches the Senate floor.
Slip and Fall
The closely watched bill that would switch the burden of proof in slip and fall negligence cases from retailers to plaintiffs makes its way to the House floor this week. Slip and fall suits are based on claims that business owners were negligent in causing an accident that led to injury.
HB 689, sponsored by Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, is supported by several business advocacy groups, including the Florida Retail Federation, the Associated Industries of Florida, the National Federation of Independent Businesses of Florida and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
The bill could reach the House floor as early as Tuesday, but critics say its in for a battle. An companion bill in the Senate has yet to pass committee.
Recycling
A bill that could revamp how state businesses recycle plastic bags, construction debris and demolition debris is making its way through the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee Wednesday afternoon.
SB 570 aims for Florida to reach the goal of recycling 75 percent of its plastic, paper, metals, glass, textiles, rubber materials and mulch by 2020.
Retailers and other businesses at a committee discussion of the bill last week expressed concern that its provisions are too strict. Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, has said he may ease some of the restrictions.
Balanced Federal Budget
A proposed resolution, SB 6, that would make Florida the 20th state to call for a balanced federal budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes its way to the Senate floor Tuesday.
The day before the current legislative session started, Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North palm Beach, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, proposed that Florida pass a resolution calling for a federal amendment convention, which is required for federal constitutional amendments to be passed. The convention must be called for by two-thirds of the states, and an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the 50 states. So far, 19 states have called for a convention.
