Special Session Adjourns With The Passage of Two Bills, Resolution

After passing two bills and a joint resolution addressing tax relief for Floridians, the Florida Legislature adjourned Special Session B 2007 sine die on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 6:28 p.m., eight days earlier than anticipated.

• House Bill 1B will cut $15.6 billion from local governments in five years and cap future revenues. The bill passed the Senate 37-0 and the House 117-1.

• Senate Joint Resolution 4B will phase out Save Our Homes with larger homestead exemptions with a constitutional amendment. The Joint Resolution passed the Senate 25-12 and the House 74-43.

• House Bill 5B provides for a special election on January 29, 2008 to allow voters to decide on the proposed constitutional amendment that was passed in 4B. The bill passed the Senate 36-0 and the House 117-0.

The Legislature did not address the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault laws or KidCare. These were two issues that were rumored to be addressed during this Special Session.

There is speculation that another Special Session may be called in September or October to address these issues.

Newspaper coverage detailing the outcome of Special Session B 2007 included:

Miami Herald: Taxes cut; more may come

Sun-Sentinel: Lawmakers approve property tax plan

Tallahassee Democrat: Tax cuts passed, special session ends

Tampa Tribune: It’s Over: Senate, House Approve Property Tax Relief Measures

 

Please feel free to contact this office should you have any questions or comments regarding the above matters.