| | | | |  | | By Kimberly Leonard | | | |  House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo chat at the rostrum after a joint session for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' State of the State speech Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. | Phil Sears/AP | Good morning and happy Friday. Lawmakers are forming new fault lines and allegiances as Tallahassee wrapped up a busy week at the Capitol. A Senate committee has made major changes to a bill that would restrict social media use to 16 and older, reports POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury, though some members are concerned parents wouldn't have enough of a say. The bill would require third-party age verification services, and prohibit them from keeping personally identifiable information. Restrictions would apply to apps where at least 10 percent of minors spend two hours or more a day and those that have push notifications and analyze data. The bill is expected to head to the Senate floor next week and is a top priority for House Speaker Paul Renner, who told reporters yesterday that lawmakers were working on going from “good to great.” He pointed out they’re thinking through potential legal challenges — something Gov. Ron DeSantis raised concerns about — and how to make sure users can remain anonymous. “We're not saying that kids can't be on social media platforms,” he said. “We're saying that social media platforms can simply adjust their behavior slightly, to make it less addictive.” Meanwhile, some House measures face an uncertain future in the Senate. Among them is a proposal to increase the salary of governors and other top state officials — the governor would take in and additional $110,000 over the current salary. It would start after DeSantis leaves office, but several GOP senators are siding with Democrats to take issue with it, reported POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. (Unlike top state officials, lawmakers tend to have jobs outside of their public office, while the governor does receive housing and transportation paid for by the state.) “We'll hear from everybody and see what happens,” Renner told Fineout when asked about it. “Many are called, few are chosen. So we'll see what happens with the bills that are out there.” DeSantis also waded into a policy the House approved yesterday as part of an omnibus education bill: implementing fees for when a person unsuccessfully challenges more than five books in school libraries for what they deem to be inappropriate sexual content, reports Andrew. As schools report they’re overwhelmed with reviewing books, the governor called for limiting frivolous challenges, though he blamed schools for misunderstanding state laws. Looking at the governor's priorities, it’s still an open question whether a key ask by DeSantis will make it into the state budget. DeSantis wants to give Floridian homeowners relief from property insurance taxes to help alleviate costs but it's not in the proposed House budget now. “This is a starting point and we’ll still continue the conversation,” Renner said, adding that “we don’t have opposition necessarily” to the provision and that it was “something we can look at as we go forward.” Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com Programming Note: We’ll be off this Monday for Presidents’ Day but will be back in your inboxes on Tuesday. | | A message from Alibaba: Florida businesses like DS Laboratories and Timberwolf Pet Foods are among thousands of American brands selling to consumers across the world on Alibaba's online marketplace. Over one billion consumers in China shop for U.S. products on Alibaba, generating big sales for these brands and benefiting Florida’s economy. In 2022, sales on Alibaba supported 15,800 local jobs and $1.1B in wages. Learn more about how Alibaba positively impacts Florida's economy. | | | |  | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | |
YOU BET — Florida may finally officially recognize fantasy sports gambling in a move that could end the legal cloud that has existed for decades, reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout. The Republican-controlled Legislature is poised to approve a bill that would regulate large fantasy sports operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings while at the same time spelling out that participating in small fantasy pools with friends and coworkers is not illegal.
LIVE HEALTHY — House committee approves Live Healthy proposal for chamber floor, reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. The House version of a health care workforce expansion plan that’s a top priority for the Senate is now eligible for the chamber floor after a favorable vote on Thursday from its last committee. The bill, HB 1549, is the House version of the Live Healthy proposal rolled out by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo before the start of this year’s legislative session. BASED ON A TRUE STORY — Amid 'Cocaine Bear' jokes, House passes bill allowing people to shoot bears, reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. The House on Thursday passed a bill allowing residents to shoot bears if they pose a threat to people or pets. The 88-29 vote was largely along party lines. But both sides agreed that the 2023 movie "Cocaine Bear," a comedy thriller, was not a documentary. The House voted after Rep. Jason Shoaf, a Republican from Port St. Joe, said his legislation is needed because a generation of bears that have no fear of people are threatening families in their North Florida homes. Bear hunting and killing bears is illegal in Florida. House Democrats said during floor debate on Thursday bears are shy, have never killed anyone in Florida and rarely come into physical contact with people.
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Marijuana plants for the adult recreational market are loaded on a tractor. | Mary Altaffer/AP | | | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S GOVERNORS SUMMIT: Join POLITICO on Feb. 22 to dive into how Governors are wielding immense power. While Washington remains gridlocked, governors are at the center of landmark decisions in AI and tech, economic development, infrastructure, housing, reproductive health and energy. How are they setting the stage for the future of American politics, policies and priorities? How are they confronting major challenges? Explore these questions and more at the 2024 Governors Summit. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | CANNABIS CAPS— Preemptive THC caps on recreational pot clears last House committee, reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. A House proposal to preemptively cap the concentration of THC found in marijuana if voters approve the plant for adult regulated use was approved by its final committee on Thursday, making the measure eligible for the chamber floor. IN UPPER CHAMBER — “Senate unanimously votes to ban hemp cannabinoids, cap delta-9 THC,” reports Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski. “The bill, if it passes, is a boon to the medical marijuana industry, as it removes competition for market share the hemp sector provides with THC, HHC and other cannabinoids that interact with CB1 receptors.” POLLUTION LAWSUITS — House and Senate committees on Thursday advanced to the floors bills that would restrict lawsuits in pollution cases despite opposition from trial lawyers and some Democrats, reports POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie. Business groups say the bills are needed to reverse the threat of lawsuits resulting from a 2019 Florida Supreme Court ruling that broadened the claims for damages from pollution allowed under state law. But trial lawyers said the proposed law changes would block people from suing for personal injuries caused by pollution. UNDERAGE WORKING — “Florida teens say they want to work. But will Florida Legislature enable bad bosses?” by USA TODAY Network - Florida’s Ana Goñi-Lessan. “The USA TODAY Network-Florida spoke to working teens who say they do want to work, but some are nervous about taking away safeguards that protect minors from being exploited by employers. Employment and Curfew of Minors (HB 49), sponsored by Rep. Linda Chaney, would remove decades of restrictions. The measure already passed the House. If it passes the Senate and is signed by DeSantis, 16- and 17-year-olds in Florida would be able to work over 40 hours a week, more than eight hours a day and would not be required to have breaks.” 14 FEET — “Florida Senate passes bill to criminalize getting too close to working police,” reports Douglas Soule of USA Today Network - Florida. “The Florida Senate has a message for those who get too close to cops: Get out of their way or go to jail. Senators unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would create a first-degree misdemeanor for anyone who defies a warning and ‘impedes’ police or other first responders when they’re at work. Despite questions previously raised by some Democratic lawmakers, asking whether it would prevent recording the police, the chamber approved the legislation (SB 184).” RULES OF THE ROAD — “House approves bill to make left lane for passing only,” reports Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner. “Florida may have fewer left-lane laggards on high-speed roadways next year if the Senate approves legislation that just zipped through the House. The bill (HB 317) cleared the Legislature’s lower chamber on a 113-3 vote. Its twin companion (SB 258) now awaits consideration beside it on the Senate floor. If approved, the measure would provide that the left lane on roadways with speed limits of 65 mph or more is for passing only.” DISCIPLINE DIVISION — “Florida students seize on ‘parental rights’ to stop educators from hitting kids,” reports The 74’s Mark Keierleber. “Florida is one of 16 states where laws explicitly allow educators to use corporal punishment on students, and the practice is not expressly prohibited by laws in an additional seven states, according to a recent review by the U.S. Department of Education … Prompted by the advocacy of two Florida college students, there is now pending legislation in the state, where roughly a third of districts use corporal punishment to discipline kids, that would require educators to get permission from parents each year before spanking their children.” MOVING ON — “Rep. Alina Garcia Will Not Seek Reelection to Florida House,” reports Javier Manjarres of The Floridian. She’ll instead run for Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Election.
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | FOIA’D — “These Florida gun shops sold the most guns used in crimes, according to federal list,” reports C. A. Bridges and Nick Penzenstadler of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. “The federal government is doing its best, despite legislative roadblocks, to track guns used in crimes back to where they came from. And of the newly revealed list of gun and pawn shops that have sold the most crime guns, over 100 of them are in Florida." EXCULPATED — “A Florida man was imprisoned 37 years for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s now getting $14M,” reports The Associated Press’ Curt Anderson. “Robert DuBoise, who was 18 when the crime occurred, was initially sentenced to death for the killing of 19-year-old Barbara Grams. Although his sentence was later reduced to life in prison, it wasn’t until 2018 — with help from the Innocence Project organization — that prosecutors agreed to give the case another look.” PARTY’S OVER — “Miami Beach wants to ‘break up’ with spring break. How the city will try to do it,” reports the Miami Herald’s Aaron Leibowitz. “Officials have walked a fine line in their messaging, insisting that Miami Beach is still welcoming to visitors while also announcing steps that are likely to make their experiences in the city unpleasant. Police Chief Wayne Jones said people can expect license plate readers, DUI checkpoints and more police in South Beach ‘than you’ve ever seen before.’” … Officials are also telling visitors to ‘expect curfews,’ although none have been formally announced.”
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BIRTHDAYS: U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack … U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn … state Rep. Dan Daley … Michael Griffin, senior VP of advocacy and public policy at AdventHealth … (Saturday) Kristin Roberts of Gannett … (Sunday) State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka … Lynn Hatter, news director at WFSU Public Broadcasting ... WPLG’s Glenna Milberg … (Monday) Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney ... Carrie Johnson O’Brion, Regional Assistant Vice Chancellor of Marketing, Communications and Strategic Initiatives
| | A message from Alibaba: Local Florida businesses such as DS Laboratories, from Miami, and Timberwolf Pet Foods, from Windermere, are currently reaching one billion consumers through Alibaba’s online marketplace. In doing so, they are generating big sales for their home state. Florida businesses are among numerous American brands that collectively achieved $66 billion in sales on Alibaba in one year.
These sales positively impact Florida's economy. In 2022, sales on Alibaba supported 15,800 local jobs and $1.1B in wages, NDP Analytics reports.
DS Laboratories CEO Dr. Fernando Tamez said, "Sales on Alibaba exceeded expectations by 50% in the first year." The company is hiring marketers, manufacturers, shippers, and more to keep up with the demand. He adds, "At first, Alibaba seemed too good to be true. Now, we jump into every single program they offer.”
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