Several new laws in Florida are set to take effect on New Year’s Day 2023. These new laws will focus on issues like newborn health care, disaster assistance, tenant protection, disaster relief, and one that will be well received by many Florida drivers – toll relief.
For many Florida drivers, especially those who travel toll bridges in South Florida and the Florida Panhandle, the Florida Toll Relief Program will save Florida electronic toll customers money.
TOLL RELIEF FOR COMMUTERS (SB 6-A)
During a special session, lawmakers approved a measure (SB 6-A) that grants 50 percent credits to motorists who record 35 or more toll road trips in a month. The program will last a year, with lawmakers agreeing to spend $500 million to help toll agencies make up for lost revenue.
Learn more and find out which Florida Tolls are a part of the program – https://floridasturnpike.com/tollrelief/
Florida commuters who use a transponder (like SunPass) will get toll rebates in 2023 under a bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. On the bill, commuters are credited with 50% of their toll if their transponder is used at least 35 times a month.
ADDITIONAL FLORIDA LAWS
THAT GO INTO EFFECT JAN. 1, 2023
LOBBYING RESTRICTIONS FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS (HB 7001 & HB 7003)
New legislation (HB 7001 and HB 7003) will implement a constitutional amendment voters overwhelmingly approved in 2018, taking the two-year time certain officials have to wait to begin lobbying after leaving government posts to be extended to six years. The restrictions apply to lawmakers, heads of state agencies, judges and many local officials.
Also read: These new Florida laws will go into effect in January 2023
DISASTER RELIEF (SB 4-A)
In response to the devastating 2021 collapse of Surfside’s Champlain Towers South building, lawmakers authorized the provision of property tax rebates if residential properties are rendered uninhabitable for 30 days. During the December special session, lawmakers passed a measure (SB 4-A) to offer similar rebates to homeowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Property owners can apply to real estate appraisers in the district between January 1st and April 1st.
LAND PROTECTION
Part of the state budget will free up $300 million in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for land acquisition.
PUBLIC NOTICES (HB 7049)
Legislators have approved a measure (HB 7049) allowing local governments to publish legal notices on county websites instead of in newspapers. Local governments in counties with fewer than 160,000 residents must first hold public hearings to determine if residents have adequate internet access.
PROPERTY INSURANCE (SB 2-A)
Lawmakers authorized the ending of a controversial practice known as assignment of property insurance benefits during this month’s special session. The practice involves homeowners assigning claims to contractors, who then collect payments from insurers. The prohibition on assigning benefits (SB 2-A) applies to policies issued on or after January 1st.
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION RATES (HB 7027)
An 8.4 percent average cut in workers’ compensation rates goes into effect in January, marking the sixth straight year that average rates have fallen.
COURTS OF APPEAL (HB 7027)
Florida’s appellate courts are being reorganized on January 1 under a law (HB 7027) that created a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and changed the jurisdictions of the 1st Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals, the 2nd Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals and the 5th Circuit Circuit Court of Appeals.
MIYA’S LAW (SB 898)
Legislators passed a measure (SB 898) that requires landlords to conduct background checks on all employees. The bill, titled “Miya’s Law,” came after the death of 19-year-old Miya Marcano, a Valencia College student, who disappeared from her Orlando apartment in September and was found dead a week later. The alleged killer, who later committed suicide, worked as a janitor at Marcano’s condominium.
Miya’s Law: Portions of Florida’s Tenant Protection Act go into effect in the new year
Changes are on the way aimed at making Florida renters safer. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 898, or “Miya’s Law,” into law this summer, and major portions will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
TEXTBOOK SELECTION (HB 1467)
As part of a broader Education Act (HB 1467), the legislature required that by January 1, a training program must be available for school librarians, media specialists and others involved in the selection of school library materials. The program aims in part to provide access to “age-appropriate materials and library resources”.
NEWBORN SCREENINGS (SB 292)
One measure (SB 292) requires hospitals and other licensed birthing facilities to test newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus if the infants fail hearing tests. The virus can cause hearing loss in infants.
Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer whose firm has been promoting community safety since 2007. AT ZARZAUR LAW, WE PRACTICE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY, PRODUCT DEFECT, AUTOACCIDENTS, CYCLING ACCIDENTS, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, PRODUCT LIABILITY, WRONGFUL DEATH, COMMUNITY SAFETY, BOAT AND JET SKI ACCIDENTS, SLIP AND FALL. Licensed in Alabama and Florida.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important that you don’t make any rash decisions. Put yourself in the best possible position to receive the justice you deserve. It is also important to consult with a Board-Certified Trial Lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to help you. We know accidents can be stressful, and we want to make the process as easy as possible for you.
Call Zarzaur Law, P.A. today at (855) Hire-Joe for a free legal consultation or visit www.zarzaurlaw.com.
If you or a loved one is injured in a car wreck while “on the job” feel free to reach out to our firm for a free consultation at zarzaurlaw.com or 855HireJoe.
Sources:
http://laws.flrules.org/