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IN STATEWIDE NEWS:
After three weeks of the 2024 Legislative Session, policy bills are continuing to make their way through House and Senate Committees. Additionally, both chambers are passing significant legislation off of their respective floors.
On Wednesday, the House passed a top priority of House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast). HB 1 Social Media Use for Minors by Representatives Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) and Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) passed the House floor in bipartisan fashion by a vote of 106-13 on Wednesday. Notably, the bill would prohibit social media companies from allowing children under the age of 16 to create a social media account and would require social media platforms to institute an age-verification process for individuals 16 years of age and older.
Additionally, the House and Senate released their proposed budgets for FY 2024-25 last week. The House and Senate are separated by approximately $392 million in their proposals, with the House proposing $115,939,248,697 compared to the House budget of $115,547,289,055. Both budgets contain funding education, transportation, tourism and economic development, health and human services, civil and criminal justice, and agriculture, environment and general government. On Wednesday, January 31, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will meet to consider their respective chambers' proposals before the budget conference process begins. Both the House and Senate proposals are higher than Governor Ron DeSantis' proposed budget of $114,447,407,482, but significantly less than the current FY 2023-24 budget of $119,096,273,377.
IN CLIENT NEWS:
Last week, Holmes and Levy Counties traveled to Tallahassee for Rural Counties Days at the Capitol. Leaders from 28 rural counties in the state met with legislative leaders and agency heads to discuss issues important to their communities and priority projects. Liberty Partners was a proud sponsor of the Rural Counties Days Legislative Reception on Wednesday night, which was attended by more than a dozen legislators representing rural Florida. On Thursday, there was a Rural Counties Days Capitol Courtyard event, which featured many booths set up from rural counties and great food and fellowship.
IN FIRM NEWS:
Liberty Partners of Tallahassee would like to recognize the Holmes County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) for the great work they are doing in the community. Sheriff John Tate and HCSO are providing the tools and resources to assist those in the local community that are battling substance abuse and addiction. Through community partnerships, HCSO has been able to help more than 750 individuals access recovery programs and overcome their addictions.
On Friday, Liberty Partners Vice President Tim Parson traveled to Santa Rosa Beach for the Seacoast High School speaker series. Students were able to listen to business and education leaders from the area and learn more about career opportunities. These events also highlight their partnership with Northwest Florida State College on a planned expansion, which will allow students in grades 9-12 to complete high school and college credit courses on the campus.
Please read below to catch up on all of last week's key developments, events and client actions.
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