TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another batch of five bills into law, and he decided to veto a separate bill that reached his desk.
The vetoed bill — SB 1082 — aimed to stop local governments from getting in the way of housing construction for certain agricultural workers.
Recommended Videos
In his veto letter, DeSantis expressed concerns that the bill could be used to house migrants who are in the state illegally.
“SB 1082 prohibits local governments from inhibiting the construction and installation of housing on farms for agriculture workers. The bill’s terms apply to legal migrant farm workers, but the bill does not include the means to enforce this limitation and could pave the way for housing of illegal alien workers. Additionally, local governments currently have the ability to establish uniform guidelines and standards through their zoning ordinances, which best suit each agricultural community.”
Ron DeSantis, SB 1082 Veto Letter
Meanwhile, the majority of the bills he did sign on Friday are set to take effect on Monday, alongside over 180 others from this Legislative Session. For a full list of these new laws, click here.
The laws that DeSantis signed on Friday are as follows:
HB 1347 — Consumer Finance Loans
House Bill 1347 amends state statutes regarding the Florida Consumer Finance Act.
Lenders in the state are prohibited from making consumer finance loans unless authorized under the Act, though licensed lenders can make certain types of loans so long as they align with the state’s guidelines (a tiered interest rate structure).
This law prohibits the operation of a lending branch that makes such loans without first obtaining a license.
In addition, the bill will increase the maximum interest rate and principal amount in the tiered interest rate structure as follows:
- 36% per year — Applied to the first $10,000 of the principal amount
- 30% per year — Applied to the amount of the principal above $10,000 and below $20,000
- 24% per year — Applied to the amount of the principal above $20,000 and below $25,000
With these new calculations, the maximum interest rate allowed on the following loan amounts would be:
| Principal | Current Max. Interest Rate | New Max. Interest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | 26.4% | 36% |
| $10,000 | 22.2% | 36% |
| $15,000 | 20.8% | 34% |
| $25,000 | 19.2% | 31.2% |
The law will take effect on July 1.
SB 736 — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Senate Bill 736 makes several changes regarding the programs under the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Specifically, these changes include:
- Allowing the DHSMV to issue reduced-dimension license plates for trailers
- Providing that disabled veterans who qualify for a free “DV” license plate may choose a military or specialty license plate that he/she qualifies for in lieu of the “DV” plate
- Removing the requirement to provide written, notarized requests for the purchase of a temporary tag
- Authorizing permanent motor vehicle registration decals for rental trucks that weigh under 15,000 pounds
- Clarifying that no additional fees can be charged by the DHSMV or tax collector for the reissuance of a certificate of title that becomes lost in transit
The law will take effect on July 1.
SB 770 — Property Improvements
Senate Bill 770 amends the Property Assessed Clean Energy program, which lets property owners make certain improvements to real property using annual non-ad valorem tax assessments.
The law expands the range of projects that local PACE programs can finance, such as:
- Repairing/replacing/improving a roof
- Improving waste systems
- Raising structures above flood elevation
- Building/repairing a flood diversion apparatus
- Installing energy-efficient heating, cooling or ventilation systems
- Replacing/installing insulation
- Replacing/installing energy-efficient water heaters
- Improving renewable energy systems — Commercial property only
- Installing electric vehicle charging equipment — Commercial property only
- Installing efficient lighting equipment — Commercial property only
The law will take effect on July 1.
SB 1600 — Interstate Mobility
Senate Bill 1600 requires officials in the DBPR to allow licensure by endorsement if an applicant meets certain criteria, such as having held a valid license issued by another state for at least five years prior.
In addition, the law requires the Florida Department of Health to issue licenses by endorsement for applicants within seven days of receiving all required documents for certain healthcare professions.
The law will take effect on July 1.
SB 7040 — Stormwater Rules
Senate Bill 7040 ratifies the Department of Environmental Protection’s revisions to its stormwater rules.
These revisions include preventing firms from having to undergo duplicate inspections for the same best management practices, allowing stormwater management systems if an applicant demonstrates that the designs meet performance standards, and letting redevelopment projects in areas with impaired water use alternative treatment standards.
The law took effect upon being signed.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: